Direct transcription of optimal control problems with finite elements on Bernstein basis

Ricciardi, Lorenzo A. and Vasile, Massimiliano (2019) Direct transcription of optimal control problems with finite elements on Bernstein basis. Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics, 42 (2). pp. 229-243. ISSN 1533-3884 (https://doi.org/10.2514/1.G003753)

[thumbnail of Ricciardi-Vasile-JGCD-2018-Direct-transcription-of-optimal-control-problems-with-finite-elements]
Preview
 Text. Filename: Ricciardi_Vasile_JGCD_2018_Direct_transcription_of_optimal_control_problems_with_finite_elements.pdf
Accepted Author Manuscript
Download (1MB)| Preview

Abstract

The paper introduces the use of Bernstein polynomials as a basis for the direct transcription of optimal control problems with Finite Elements in Time. Two key properties of this new transcription approach are demonstrated in this paper: Bernstein bases return smooth control profiles with no oscillations near discontinuities or abrupt changes of the control law, and for convex feasible sets, the polynomial representation of both states and controls remains within the feasible set for all times. The latter property is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally. A simple but representative example is used to illustrate these properties and compare the new scheme against a more common way to transcribe optimal control problems with Finite Elements in Time.

ORCID iDs

Ricciardi, Lorenzo A. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0895-7961 and Vasile, Massimiliano ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8302-6465;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)