Studies in Robust Control of Systems Subject to Constraints

Two approaches to control system design for constrained systems are studied. The first involves theoretical investigations of constrained model predictive control algorithms. The second involves extensions of robust linear control theory to handle the nonlinear control schemes commonly used in practice for constrained systems. A novel model predictive control algorithm, with attractive functional and numerical characteristics is developed. This algorithm minimizes peak excursions in the controlled outputs and is particularly suited to regulatory control problems common in continuous process systems. Model predictive control concepts are extended to uncertain linear systems. An on-line optimizing control scheme (RMPC) is developed which has as its objective the minimization of worst-case tracking error for an entire family of linear plants. For model uncertainty descriptions which provide plant impulse response coefficients as affine functions of uncertain parameters, it is shown that the required minimax optimization problem can be recast as a single linear program. The discrete time optimal averaging level control problem is formulated and solved. A finite horizon approximation to the problem is introduced and analytical solutions are obtained in important special cases. A model predictive control formulation is introduced which provides optimal flow filtering and integral action. Analysis tools are provided to characterize the trade-off between flow filtering and rapid integral action. A complete theory is developed for the multivariable anti-windup, bumpless transfer (AWBT) problem. The theoretical framework allows the consideration of any linear time invariant (LTI) control system subject to plant input limitations and substitutions. A general AWBT compensation scheme, applicable to multivariable controllers of arbitrary structure and order, is developed. Conditions are derived under which this general AWBT method reduces to any one of several well-known heuristics for AWBT (e.g., PI anti-reset windup and IMC). The design issues which affect AWBT performance are identified and quantitative analysis methods are developed. Sufficient conditions for nonlinear stability of the AWBT compensated system are provided. These results are a generalization of, and are less conservative than, those available in the AWBT literature. The definition of AWBT performance objectives which are independent of controller structure allows the formulation of a general AWBT synthesis problem. This formal synthesiproblem addresses each of the identified performance objectives in a quantitative manner. The synthesis problem is shown to be a special case of a constrained structure controller synthesis (CSCS) problem. A solution method via reduction to static output feedback is presented and the engineering trade-offs available in the AWBT design are discussed.