Uncertainty and Optimal Control.

Abstract

The success of so-called optimal control is investigated, by comparing the performance of an optimal control system to the performance of a control system considered as suboptimal, for non-trivial situations where uncertainties regarding the future behavior of the system or its environment exist. It is shown by analytical considerations that optimal control is successful only in limited and restricted circumstances and, more so, that the introduction of optimal control can deteriorate rather than improve the over-all system performance. Some criteria are suggested upon which a decision can be based regarding an optimal control mode. A number of numerical examples are presented in order to indicate the regions in uncertainty space where the optimal control is successful and the regions where the control considered as suboptimal is better than the so-called optimal control. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 03, 1962
Accession Number
AD0281906

Entities

People

  • Donald S. Macko

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Control Systems
  • Environment
  • Uncertainty

Readers

  • Operations Research
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Theoretical Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers