The Explicit Linear Quadratic Regulator for Constrained Systems

Prof. Manfred Morari (ETH Zurich)

For discrete time linear time invariant systems with constraints on inputs and states, we develop an algorithm to determine explicitly the state feedback control law which minimizes a quadratic performance criterion. We show that the control law is piecewise linear and continuous for both the finite horizon problem (model predictive control) and the usual infinite time measure (constrained linear quadratic regulation). Thus, the on-line computation is reduced to a simple linear function evaluation, instead of the expensive quadratic program required up to now.

Control based on on-line optimization has long been recognized as a superior alternative for constrained systems. The technique proposed in this paper is attractive for a wide range of practical problems where the computational complexity of on-line optimization is prohibitive.

Speaker's bio:

In 1994 Manfred Morari was appointed head of the Automatic Control Laboratory at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich. Before that he was the McCollum-Corcoran Professor and Executive Officer for Control and Dynamical Systems at the California Institute of Technology. He obtained the diploma from ETH Zurich and the Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. His interests are in hybrid systems and the control of biomedical systems. In recognition of his research he received numerous awards, among them the Eckman Award of the AACC, the Colburn Award and the Professional Progress Award of the AIChE and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering (U.S.). Professor Morari has held appointments with Exxon and ICI and has consulted internationally for a number of major corporations.

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