Investigation of Air Transportation Technology at Princeton University, 1989-1990

The Air Transportation Technology Program at Princeton University proceeded along six avenues during the past year: microburst hazards to aircraft; machine-intelligent, fault tolerant flight control; computer aided heuristics for piloted flight; stochastic robustness for flight control systems; neural networks for flight control; and computer aided control system design. These topics are briefly discussed, and an annotated bibliography of publications that appeared between January 1989 and June 1990 is given

Analysis and design of robust stabilizing modified repetitive control systems

In control system practice, high precision tracking or attenuation for periodic signals is an important issue. Repetitive control is known as an e.ective approach for such control problems. The internal model principle shows that the repetitive control system which contains a periodic generator in the closed-loop can achieve zero steady-state error for reference input or completely attenuate disturbance. Due to its simple structure and high control precision, repetitive control has been widely applied in many systems. To improve existing results on repetitive control theory, this thesis presents theoretical results in analysis and design repetitive control system. The main work and innovations are listed as follows: We propose a design method of robust stabilizing modi.ed repetitive controllers for multiple-input/multiple-output plants with uncertainties. The parameterization of all robust stabilizing modi.ed repetitive controllers for multiple-input/multiple-output plant with uncertainty is obtained by employing H∞ control theory based on the Riccati equation. The robust stabilizing controller contains free parameters that are designed to achieve desirable control characteristic. In addition, the bandwidth of low-pass .lter has been analyzed. In order to simplify the design process and avoid the wrong results obtained by graphical method, the robust stability conditions are converted to LMIs-constraint conditions by employing the delay-dependent bounded real lemma. When the free parameters of the parameterization of all robust stabiliz-ing controllers is adequately chosen, then the controller works as robust stabilizing modi.ed repetitive controller. For a time-varying periodic disturbances, we give an design method of an opti-mal robust stabilizing modi.ed repetitive controller for a strictly proper plant with time-varying uncertainties. A modi.ed repetitive controller with time-varying delay structure, inserted by a low-pass .lter and an adjustable parameter, is developed for this class of system. Two linear matrix inequalities LMIs-based robust stability con-ditions of the closed-loop system with time-varying state delay are derived for .xed parameters. One is a delay-dependent robust stability condition that is derived based on the free-weight matrix. The other robust stability condition is obtained based on the H∞ control problem by introducing a linear unitary operator. To obtain the desired controller, the design problems are converted to two LMI-constrained opti-mization problems by reformulating the LMIs given in the robust stability conditions. The validity of the proposed method is verified through a numerical example.学位記番号：工博甲46

Quantitative Performance Bounds in Biomolecular Circuits due to Temperature Uncertainty

Performance of biomolecular circuits is affected by changes in temperature, due to its influence on underlying reaction rate parameters. While these performance variations have been estimated using Monte Carlo simulations, how to analytically bound them is generally unclear. To address this, we apply control-theoretic representations of uncertainty to examples of different biomolecular circuits, developing a framework to represent uncertainty due to temperature. We estimate bounds on the steady-state performance of these circuits due to temperature uncertainty. Through an analysis of the linearised dynamics, we represent this uncertainty as a feedback uncertainty and bound the variation in the magnitude of the input-output transfer function, providing a estimate of the variation in frequency-domain properties. Finally, we bound the variation in the time trajectories, providing an estimate of variation in time-domain properties. These results should enable a framework for analytical characterisation of uncertainty in biomolecular circuit performance due to temperature variation and may help in estimating relative performance of different controllers

Connections Between Adaptive Control and Optimization in Machine Learning

This paper demonstrates many immediate connections between adaptive control and optimization methods commonly employed in machine learning. Starting from common output error formulations, similarities in update law modifications are examined. Concepts in stability, performance, and learning, common to both fields are then discussed. Building on the similarities in update laws and common concepts, new intersections and opportunities for improved algorithm analysis are provided. In particular, a specific problem related to higher order learning is solved through insights obtained from these intersections.Comment: 18 page

Some Remarks on the Use of Deterministic and Probabilistic Approaches in the Evaluation of Rock Slope Stability

The rock slope stability assessment can be performed by means of deterministic and probabilistic approaches. As the deterministic analysis needs only representative values (generally, the mean value) for each physical and geo-mechanical parameter involved, it does not take into account the variability and uncertainty of geo-structural and geo-mechanical properties of joints. This analysis can be usually carried out using dierent methods, such as the Limit Equilibrium method or numerical modeling techniques sometimes implemented in graphical tests to identify dierent failure mechanisms (kinematic approach). Probabilistic methods (kinetic approach) aimed to calculate the slope failure probability, consider all orientations, physical characters and shear strength of joints and not only those recognized as kinematically possible. Consequently, the failure probability can be overestimated. It is, therefore, considered more realistic to perform both kinematic and kinetic analyses and to calculate a conditional probability given by the product of the kinematic and kinetic probabilities assuming that they are statistically independent variables. These approaches have been tested on two rock slopes in the Campanian region of Southern Italy aected by possible plane and wedge failures, respectively. Kinematic and kinetic probabilities have been evaluated both by means of the Markland’s test and the Monte Carlo simulation. Using the Eurocode 7, also a deterministic limit equilibrium analysis was performed. The obtained results were compared and commented on

A perspective on CELSS control issues

Some issues of Closed Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) analysis and design are effectively addressed from a systems control perspective. CELSS system properties that may be elucidated using control theory in conjunction with mathematical and simulation modeling are enumerated. The approach that is being taken to the design of a control strategy for the Crop Growth Research Chamber (CGRC) and the relationship of that approach to CELSS plant growth unit subsystems control is described

Design of robust current tracking control for active power filters

The paper describes a design methodology for robust current-tracking control of active power filters using quantitative feedback theory (QFT). The design aim is to address system issues of power quality and power factor correction in a double-sided converter (rectifierhverter combination) subject to parametric uncertainty, non-linear dynamic behavior and exogenous disturbances. The paper includes simulation results to demonstrate the dynamic performance attributes afforded to the resulting closed-loop control system, and to verify the design procedure

Technical notes and correspondence: Stochastic robustness of linear time-invariant control systems

A simple numerical procedure for estimating the stochastic robustness of a linear time-invariant system is described. Monte Carlo evaluations of the system's eigenvalues allows the probability of instability and the related stochastic root locus to be estimated. This analysis approach treats not only Gaussian parameter uncertainties but non-Gaussian cases, including uncertain-but-bounded variation. Confidence intervals for the scalar probability of instability address computational issues inherent in Monte Carlo simulation. Trivial extensions of the procedure admit consideration of alternate discriminants; thus, the probabilities that stipulated degrees of instability will be exceeded or that closed-loop roots will leave desirable regions can also be estimated. Results are particularly amenable to graphical presentation