A frequency domain method based on the parametric transfer function co
ncept is developed for the design of digital control systems with time
-delayed continuous-time plants. The method allows to investigate the
behavior of sampled-data systems in continuous-time in terms of input-
output relations. An algorithm is presented for the design of an optim
al digital controller that minimizes a quadratic cost functional under
stochastic disturbances. The method is applicable to the design of di
gital controllers for arbitrary linear continuous-time plants. (C) 199
7 Elsevier Science Ltd.