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Numerical solution of minimax problems of optimal control, part 1

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Abstract

This paper contains general transformation techniques useful to convert minimax problems of optimal control into the Mayer-Bolza problem of the calculus of variations [Problem (P)]. We consider two types of minimax problems: minimax problems of Type (Q), in which the minimax function depends on the state and does not depend on the control; and minimax problems of Type (R), in which the minimax function depends on both the state and the control. Both Problem (Q) and Problem (R) can be reduced to Problem (P).

For Problem (Q), we exploit the analogy with a bounded-state problem in combination with a transformation of the Jacobson type. This requires the proper augmentation of the state vectorx(t), the control vectoru(t), and the parameter vector π, as well as the proper augmentation of the constraining relations. As a result of the transformation, the unknown minimax value of the performance index becomes a component of the parameter vector being optimized.

For Problem (R), we exploit the analogy with a bounded-control problem in combination with a transformation of the Valentine type. This requires the proper augmentation of the control vectoru(t) and the parameter vector π, as well as the proper augmentation of the constraining relations. As a result of the transformation, the unknown minimax value of the performance index becomes a component of the parameter vector being optimized.

In a subsequent paper (Part 2), the transformation techniques presented here are employed in conjunction with the sequential gradient-restoration algorithm for solving optimal control problems on a digital computer; both the single-subarc approach and the multiple-subarc approach are discussed.

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Author notes

  1. B. P. Mohanty (Senior Research Associate)

    Present address: School of Systems Science, Arkansas Technical University, Russellville, Arkansas

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas

    A. Miele (Professor of Astronautics and Mathematical Sciences), B. P. Mohanty (Senior Research Associate), P. Venkataraman (Graduate Student) & Y. M. Kuo (Graduate Student)

Authors
  1. A. Miele
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  2. B. P. Mohanty
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  3. P. Venkataraman
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  4. Y. M. Kuo
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Additional information

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation, Grant No. ENG-79-18667, and by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Contract No. F33615-80-C3000. This paper is a condensation of the investigations reported in Refs. 1–7. The authors are indebted to E. M. Coker and E. M. Sims for analytical and computational assistance.

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Miele, A., Mohanty, B.P., Venkataraman, P. et al. Numerical solution of minimax problems of optimal control, part 1. J Optim Theory Appl 38, 97–109 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00934325

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