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The Distance to Uncontrollability via Linear Matrix Inequalities

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The distance to uncontrollability of a controllable linear system is a measure of the degree of perturbation a system can undergo and remain controllable. The definition of the distance to uncontrollability leads to a non-convex optimization problem in two variables. In 2000 Gu proposed the first polynomial time algorithm to compute this distance. This algorithm relies heavily on efficient eigenvalue solvers. In this work we examine two alternative algorithms that result in linear matrix inequalities. For the first algorithm, proposed by Ebihara et. al., a semidefinite programming problem is derived via the Kalman-Yakubovich-Popov (KYP) lemma. The dual formulation is also considered and leads to rank conditions for exactness verification of the approximation. For the second algorithm, by Dumitrescu, Şicleru and Ştefan, a semidefinite programming problem is derived using a sum-of-squares relaxation of an associated matrix-polynomial and the associated Gram matrix parameterization. In both cases the optimization problems are solved using primal-dual-interior point methods that retain positive semidefiniteness at each iteration. Numerical results are presented to compare the three algorithms for a number of benchmark examples. In addition, we also consider a system that results from a finite element discretization of the one-dimensional advection-diffusion equation. Here our objective is to test these algorithms for larger problems that originate in PDE-control.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mathematics
Department dc:contributor.department
Mathematics
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2010

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Boyce, Steven James
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Zietsman, Lizette
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Borggaard, Jeffrey T.
  • Norton, Anderson H. III
  • Day, Martin V.

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-12142010-205618
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/36138

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Boyce, Steven James. The Distance to Uncontrollability via Linear Matrix Inequalities. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/36138