Deterministic Optimization Control for Fast Dynamic Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optimization-based control (OBC) systems for complex dynamic control systems are computationally demanding, making them inefficient for real-time control due to the complexity of solving constrained optimization problems like quadratic programming, which can take seconds or minutes, and are not well-suited for systems with fast dynamics.

Innovation Solution

A deterministic optimization-based control method that includes determining a linear approximation of a non-linear process model, convexifying constraints, and using a stabilization function to find a feasible control trajectory within a predetermined time window, employing a deterministic solver like a primal active set method to efficiently manage complex constraints and reduce computational load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If general optimization solvers are used to solve constrained optimization problems, then optimal control performance is achieved, but computation time becomes too long (seconds or minutes)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol optimalityVSAvoidcomputation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores the null space basis matrices and other decomposition results offline before real-time control. This preliminary action transforms the complex online optimization into a simpler problem that only requires solving linear equations with pre-computed matrices, dramatically reducing real-time computation time while maintaining optimality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the optimization problem into offline preprocessing (computing null space basis, system decomposition) and online execution (solving simplified linear equations). This segmentation allows computationally intensive operations to be performed once offline, while real-time control only requires lightweight calculations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If deterministic control time is enforced for fast dynamic systems, then real-time control capability is achieved, but the optimization problem becomes more constrained and harder to solve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol response speedVSAvoiddeterministic solver complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the optimization problem by transforming it into a specific form where the Hessian matrix has a particular structure (combining quadratic cost and linear constraints). This parameter transformation enables the use of efficient deterministic algorithms like active set methods that can guarantee solutions within predetermined time for fast dynamic systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces general-purpose optimization solvers with a specialized deterministic solver tailored for the specific control problem structure. This substitution uses mathematical properties of the control problem (null space projection, active set methods) to create a more efficient solution mechanism that guarantees real-time performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If complex constrained optimization is solved in real-time, then optimal control is achieved, but computational burden becomes too high for embedded systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol optimalityVSAvoidcomputational burden
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs computationally intensive operations (matrix decompositions, null space calculations) as preliminary actions during offline setup. This shifts the computational burden from real-time execution to offline preprocessing, enabling embedded systems with limited processing power to run the control algorithm efficiently in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the computationally intensive parts of the optimization problem (Hessian matrix inversion, constraint qualification checks) from the real-time execution loop. These operations are pre-computed and stored, leaving only simple linear equation solutions for real-time implementation on embedded systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2778806B1Deterministic optimization based control system and method for linear and non-linear systems
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECH INC
  • EP2778806B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2778806B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP2778806B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The embodiments described herein include one embodiment that provides a control method including determining a linear approximation of a pre-determined non-linear model of a process to be controlled, determining a convex approximation of the nonlinear constraint set, determining an initial stabilizing feasible control trajectory for a plurality of sample periods of a control trajectory, executing an optimization-based control algorithm to improve the initial stabilizing feasible control trajectory for a plurality of sample periods of a control trajectory, and controlling the controlled process by application.