CAREER: Research on input-output methods for nonlinear control design; Education into the next century

本文的研究目标是进一步理解高度非线性系统的动力学和控制。强调的数学方法将是那些寻求在输入-输出行为方面描述非线性系统的方法。这种观点是灵活的，可以适应现实世界的不确定性和复杂的非线性行为。在控制信号的大小和允许速率上有严格限制的系统的控制方面，最近的突破就是通过采用这种观点而发展起来的。研究计划的一部分是为了证明已经为控制饱和问题开发的算法适用于各种各样的问题。通过研究优化策略和与更标准的控制算法的接触，将增强控制算法的意义。事实上，这些算法可以在标准控制和最近的“智能”控制之间提供联系。研究计划的第二部分旨在通过采用一般输入输出的观点，发展对非线性控制的概念洞察力和计算算法。据信，这将导致类似于已知线性系统的许多基本结果的结果：稳定补偿器的参数化，这些参数的优化，同时稳定等。软件开发将是将该提案的研究进展转移到工业部门的一种手段。这项研究的教育目标是促进一个适合当今工程专业学生独特方面的学习环境。前提是，今天的学生在观点、价值观和期望方面与之前的学生有很大的不同。因此，必须研究教学方式和观点的变化。教育计划要求对教学风格和方法进行批判性的自我和外部检查。部分地，这将在大学的教师发展计划的结构内进行。此外，该计划要求彻底重新审查实验教学方法，特别是在控制子领域。强调可视化技术作为教学工具的考虑。最后，推荐一种通过电气工程和控制的历史和愿景来激励学生的教学方法。在这方面，指导被认为是教育过程的关键部分。＊＊＊

9502034 Teel The research objective of this proposal is to further the understanding of the dynamics and control of highly nonlinear systems. The mathematical methods emphasized will be those that seek to characterize nonlinear systems in terms of their input- output behavior. This viewpoint is flexible and can accommodate real world uncertainties and complicated nonlinear behavior. Recent breakthroughs regarding control of systems with hard limits on the magnitude and permissible rates of control signals have developed by taking this view. Part of the research plan is to show that the algorithms which have been developed for the control saturation problem are applicable to a wide variety of problems. The significance of the control algorithms will be enhanced by investigating optimization strategies and rapprochement with more standard control algorithms. Indeed, these algorithms may provide a link between standard control and more recent "intelligent" control. The second part of the research plan seeks to develop both conceptual insight into and computational algorithms for nonlinear control by taking a general input-output point of view. It is believed that this will lead to results analogous to many fundamental results that are known for linear systems: a parameterization of stabilizing compensators, optimization over such parameters, simultaneous stabilization, etc. Software development will be a means of transporting the research developments of this proposal to the industrial sector. The educational objective of this research is to facilitate a learning environment which is tailored to the unique aspects of today's engineering student. The premise is that today's students are very different from those that preceded them, with regard to perspectives, values and expectation. Accordingly, changes in teaching styles and perspectives must be investigated. The educational plan calls for critical self-and outside- examination of teachin g styles and methods. Partially, this will occur within the structure of a faculty development program at the University. In addition, the plan calls for a thorough re- examination of laboratory teaching methods, especially in the subfield of control. A consideration of visualization techniques as a teaching tool is emphasized. Finally, a teaching approach that motivates the student through the history of and vision for electrical engineering and control is recommended. In this regard, mentoring is seen to be a crucial part of the education process. ***