Title
Optimal Steering of a Linear Stochastic System to a Final Probability Distribution, Part I.
Abstract
We consider the problem of steering a linear dynamical system with complete state observation from an initial Gaussian distribution in state-space to a final one with minimum energy control. The system is stochastically driven through the control channels; an example for such a system is that of an inertial particle experiencing random white noise forcing. We show that a target probability distribution can always be achieved in finite time. The optimal control is given in state-feedback form and is computed explicitly by solving a pair of differential Lyapunov equations that are nonlinearly coupled through their boundary values. This result, given its attractive algorithmic nature, appears to have several potential applications such as to quality control, control of industrial processes, as well as to active control of nanomechanical systems and molecular cooling. The problem to steer a diffusion process between end-point marginals has a long history (Schrodinger bridges) and the present case of steering a linear stochastic system constitutes such a Schrodinger bridge for possibly degenerate diffusions. Our results provide the first implementable form of the optimal control for a general Gauss-Markov process. Illustrative examples are provided for steering inertial particles and for cooling a stochastic oscillator. A final result establishes directly the property of Schrodinger bridges as the most likely random evolution between given marginals to the present context of linear stochastic systems. A second part to this work, that is to appear as part II, addresses the general situation where the stochastic excitation enters through channels that may differ from those used to control.
Year
DOI
Venue
2016
10.1109/TAC.2015.2457784
IEEE Trans. Automat. Contr.
Keywords
DocType
Volume
Optimal control,Bridges,Boundary conditions,Noise,Process control,Cooling,Riccati equations
Journal
61
Issue
ISSN
Citations 
5
0018-9286
5
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.51
5
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Yongxin Chen19931.89
Tryphon T. Georgiou221136.71
Michele Pavon322325.98