Christian Kirches develops a fast numerical algorithm of wide applicability that efficiently solves mixed-integer nonlinear optimal control problems. He uses convexification and relaxation techniques to obtain computationally tractable reformulations for which feasibility and optimality certificates can be given even after discretization and rounding.

In this thesis, several algorithms for distributed model predictive control over digital communication networks with parallel computation are developed and analyzed. Distributed control aims at efficiently controlling large scale dynamical systems which consist of interconnected dynamical systems by means of communicating local controllers. Such distributed control problems arise in applications such as chemical processes, formation control, and control of power grids. In distributed model predictive control the underlying idea is to solve a large scale model predictive control problem in a distributed fashion in order to achieve faster computation and better robustness against local failures. Distributed model predictive control often heavily relies on frequent communication between the local model predictive controllers. However, a digital communication network may induce uncertainties such as a communication delays, especially if the load on the communication network is high. One topic of this thesis is to develop a distributed model predictive control algorithm for subsystems interconnected by constraints and common control goals which is robust with respect to time-varying communication delays.

This book is a collection of thoroughly refereed papers presented at the 27th IFIP TC 7 Conference on System Modeling and Optimization, held in Sophia Antipolis, France, in June/July 2015. The 48 revised papers were carefully reviewed and selected from numerous submissions. They cover the latest progress in their respective areas and encompass broad aspects of system modeling and optimiza-tion, such as modeling and analysis of systems governed by Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) or Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs), control of PDEs/ODEs, nonlinear optimization, stochastic optimization, multi-objective optimization, combinatorial optimization, industrial applications, and numericsof PDEs.

This book assembles new methods showing the automotive engineer for the first time how hybrid vehicle configurations can be modeled as systems with discrete and continuous controls. These hybrid systems describe naturally and compactly the networks of embedded systems which use elements such as integrators, hysteresis, state-machines and logical rules to describe the evolution of continuous and discrete dynamics and arise inevitably when modeling hybrid electric vehicles. They can throw light on systems which may otherwise be too complex or recondite. Hybrid Systems, Optimal Control and Hybrid Vehicles shows the reader how to formulate and solve control problems which satisfy multiple objectives which may be arbitrary and complex with contradictory influences on fuel consumption, emissions and drivability. The text introduces industrial engineers, postgraduates and researchers to the theory of hybrid optimal control problems. A series of novel algorithmic developments provides tools for solving engineering problems of growing complexity in the field of hybrid vehicles. Important topics of real relevance rarely found in text books and research publications—switching costs, sensitivity of discrete decisions and there impact on fuel savings, etc.—are discussed and supported with practical applications. These demonstrate the contribution of optimal hybrid control in predictive energy management, advanced powertrain calibration, and the optimization of vehicle configuration with respect to fuel economy, lowest emissions and smoothest drivability. Numerical issues such as computing resources, simplifications and stability are treated to enable readers to assess such complex systems. To help industrial engineers and managers with project decision-making, solutions for many important problems in hybrid vehicle control are provided in terms of requirements, benefits and risks.

This book presents a collection of papers on recent advances in problems concerning dynamics, optimal control and optimization. In many chapters, computational techniques play a central role. Set-oriented techniques feature prominently throughout the book, yielding state-of-the-art algorithms for computing general invariant sets, constructing globally optimal controllers and solving multi-objective optimization problems.

The goal of this book is to familiarize readers with the latest research on, and recent advances in, the field of Informatics in Control, Automation and Robotics. It gathers a selection of papers highlighting the state-of-the-art in Intelligent Control Systems, Optimization, Robotics and Automation, Signal Processing, Sensors, Systems Modelling and Control. Combining theoretical aspects with practical applications, the book offers a well-balanced overview of the latest achievements, and will provide researchers, engineers and PhD students with both a vital update and new inspirations for their own research.

This book demonstrates the use of the optimization techniques that are becoming essential to meet the increasing stringency and variety of requirements for automotive systems. It shows the reader how to move away from earlier approaches, based on some degree of heuristics, to the use of more and more common systematic methods. Even systematic methods can be developed and applied in a large number of forms so the text collects contributions from across the theory, methods and real-world automotive applications of optimization. Greater fuel economy, significant reductions in permissible emissions, new drivability requirements and the generally increasing complexity of automotive systems are among the criteria that the contributing authors set themselves to meet. In many cases multiple and often conflicting requirements give rise to multi-objective constrained optimization problems which are also considered. Some of these problems fall into the domain of the traditional multi-disciplinary optimization applied to system, sub-system or component design parameters and is performed based on system models; others require applications of optimization directly to experimental systems to determine either optimal calibration or the optimal control trajectory/control law. Optimization and Optimal Control in Automotive Systems reflects the state-of-the-art in and promotes a comprehensive approach to optimization in automotive systems by addressing its different facets, by discussing basic methods and showing practical approaches and specific applications of optimization to design and control problems for automotive systems. The book will be of interest both to academic researchers, either studying optimization or who have links with the automotive industry and to industrially-based engineers and automotive designers.

A cutting-edge guide to modelling complex systems with differential-algebraic equations, suitable for applied mathematicians, engineers and computational scientists.

This contributed volume brings together research papers presented at the 4th International Conference on Dynamics in Logistics, held in Bremen, Germany in February 2014. The conference focused on the identification, analysis and description of the dynamics of logistics processes and networks. Topics covered range from the modeling and planning of processes, to innovative methods like autonomous control and knowledge management, to the latest technologies provided by radio frequency identification, mobile communication, and networking. The growing dynamic poses wholly new challenges: logistics processes and networks must be(come) able to rapidly and flexibly adapt to constantly changing conditions. The book primarily addresses the needs of researchers and practitioners from the field of logistics, but will also be beneficial for graduate students.