Search results for "Control and Optimization"
showing 10 items of 448 documents
Opinion Dynamics and Stubbornness via Multi-Population Mean-Field Games
2016
This paper studies opinion dynamics for a set of heterogeneous populations of individuals pursuing two conflicting goals: to seek consensus and to be coherent with their initial opinions. The multi-population game under investigation is characterized by (i) rational agents who behave strategically, (ii) heterogeneous populations, and (iii) opinions evolving in response to local interactions. The main contribution of this paper is to encompass all of these aspects under the unified framework of mean-field game theory. We show that, assuming initial Gaussian density functions and affine control policies, the Fokker---Planck---Kolmogorov equation preserves Gaussianity over time. This fact is t…
Game Theoretic Decentralized Feedback Controls in Markov Jump Processes
2017
This paper studies a decentralized routing problem over a network, using the paradigm of mean-field games with large number of players. Building on a state-space extension technique, we turn the problem into an optimal control one for each single player. The main contribution is an explicit expression of the optimal decentralized control which guarantees the convergence both to local and to global equilibrium points. Furthermore, we study the stability of the system also in the presence of a delay which we model using an hysteresis operator. As a result of the hysteresis, we prove existence of multiple equilibrium points and analyze convergence conditions. The stability of the system is ill…
Decomposition and Mean-Field Approach to Mixed Integer Optimal Compensation Problems
2016
Mixed integer optimal compensation deals with optimization problems with integer- and real-valued control variables to compensate disturbances in dynamic systems. The mixed integer nature of controls could lead to intractability in problems of large dimensions. To address this challenge, we introduce a decomposition method which turns the original n-dimensional optimization problem into n independent scalar problems of lot sizing form. Each of these problems can be viewed as a two-player zero-sum game, which introduces some element of conservatism. Each scalar problem is then reformulated as a shortest path one and solved through linear programming over a receding horizon, a step that mirro…
Vibration control strategy for large-scale structures with incomplete multi-actuator system and neighbouring state information
2016
The synthesis of optimal controllers for vibrational protection of large-scale structures with multiple actuation devices and partial state information is a challenging problem. In this study, the authors present a design strategy that allows computing this kind of controllers by using standard linear matrix inequality optimisation tools. To illustrate the main elements of the new approach, a five-story structure equipped with two interstory actuation devices and subjected to a seismic disturbance is considered. For this control setup, three different controllers are designed: an ideal state-feedback H 8 controller with full access to the complete state information and two static output-fee…
Darboux integrable system with a triple point and pseudo-abelian integrals
2016
We study pseudo-abelian integrals associated with polynomial perturbations of Dar-boux integrable system with a triple point. Under some assumptions we prove the local boundedness of the number of their zeros. Assuming that this is the only non-genericity, we prove that the number of zeros of the corresponding pseudo-abelian integrals is bounded uniformly for nearby Darboux integrable foliations.
A singular elliptic equation and a related functional
2021
We study a class of Dirichlet boundary value problems whose prototype is [see formula in PDF] where 0 < p < 1 and f belongs to a suitable Lebesgue space. The main features of this problem are the presence of a singular term |u|p−2u and a datum f which possibly changes its sign. We introduce a notion of solution in this singular setting and we prove an existence result for such a solution. The motivation of our notion of solution to problem above is due to a minimization problem for a non–differentiable functional on [see formula in PDF] whose formal Euler–Lagrange equation is an equation of that type. For nonnegative solutions a uniqueness result is obtained.
Thermo-Hydraulic Modelling and Experimental Validation of an Electro-Hydraulic Compact Drive
2021
Electro-hydraulic compact drives (ECDs) are an emerging technology for linear actuation in a wide range of applications. Especially within the low power range of 5–10 kW, the plug-and-play capability, good energy efficiency and small space requirements of ECDs render this technology a promising alternative to replace conventional valve-controlled linear drive solutions. In this power range, ECDs generally rely on passive cooling to keep oil and system temperatures within the tolerated range. When expanding the application range to larger power classes, passive cooling may not be sufficient. Research investigating the thermal behaviour of ECDs is limited but indeed required for a successful …
Opinion dynamics in social networks through mean field games
2016
Emulation, mimicry, and herding behaviors are phenomena that are observed when multiple social groups interact. To study such phenomena, we consider in this paper a large population of homogeneous social networks. Each such network is characterized by a vector state, a vector-valued controlled input, and a vector-valued exogenous disturbance. The controlled input of each network aims to align its state to the mean distribution of other networks' states in spite of the actions of the disturbance. One of the contributions of this paper is a detailed analysis of the resulting mean-field game for the cases of both polytopic and $mathcal L_2$ bounds on controls and disturbances. A second contrib…
Me, My Bot and His Other (Robot) Woman? Keeping Your Robot Satisfied in the Age of Artificial Emotion
2018
With a backdrop of action and science fiction movie horrors of the dystopian relationship between humans and robots, surprisingly to date-with the exception of ethical discussions-the relationship aspect of humans and sex robots has seemed relatively unproblematic. The attraction to sex robots perhaps is the promise of unproblematic affectionate and sexual interactions, without the need to consider the other&rsquo
A more efficient cutting planes approach for the green vehicle routing problem with capacitated alternative fuel stations
2021
AbstractThe Green Vehicle Routing Problem with Capacitated Alternative Fuel Stations assumes that, at each station, the number of vehicles simultaneously refueling cannot exceed the number of available pumps. The state-of-the-art solution method, based on the generation of all feasible non-dominated paths, performs well only with up to 2 pumps. In fact, it needs cloning the paths between every pair of pumps. To overcome this issue, in this paper, we propose new path-based MILP models without cloning paths, for both the scenario with private stations (i.e., owned by the fleet manager) and that with public stations. Then, a more efficient cutting plane approach is designed for addressing both…