A variational approach to local optimality in control theory

A new approach to control theory is investigated in this thesis. The approach is based on a locally specified state space model of the control dynamics; together with a goal function, which defines a generalized distance from each state position to the desired equilibrium point or trajectory. A feedback control function is sought, which will result in a system response which approximates the gradient descent trajectories of the specified goal function. The approximation is chosen so that the resulting trajectories satisfy a certain local optimality criterion, involving the averaged second derivative of the goal function along the trajectories.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics

Year dc:date.issued

2001

Author dc:creator

• Brown, Bruce J L

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Reddy, Daya
• Yavin, Prof

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/4869

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/4869