Learning-based Predictive Control for Nonlinear Systems with Unknown Dynamics Subject to Safety Constraints

Model predictive control (MPC) has been widely employed as an effective method for model-based constrained control. For systems with unknown dynamics, reinforcement learning (RL) and adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) have received notable attention to solve the adaptive optimal control problems. Recently, works on the use of RL in the framework of MPC have emerged, which can enhance the ability of MPC for data-driven control. However, the safety under state constraints and the closed-loop robustness are difficult to be verified due to approximation errors of RL with function approximation structures. Aiming at the above problem, we propose a data-driven robust MPC solution based on incremental RL, called data-driven robust learning-based predictive control (dr-LPC), for perturbed unknown nonlinear systems subject to safety constraints. A data-driven robust MPC (dr-MPC) is firstly formulated with a learned predictor. The incremental Dual Heuristic Programming (DHP) algorithm using an actor-critic architecture is then utilized to solve the online optimization problem of dr-MPC. In each prediction horizon, the actor and critic learn time-varying laws for approximating the optimal control policy and costate respectively, which is different from classical MPCs. The state and control constraints are enforced in the learning process via building a Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation and a regularized actor-critic learning structure using logarithmic barrier functions. The closed-loop robustness and safety of the dr-LPC are proven under function approximation errors. Simulation results on two control examples have been reported, which show that the dr-LPC can outperform the DHP and dr-MPC in terms of state regulation, and its average computational time is much smaller than that with the dr-MPC in both examples.Comment: The paper has been submitted at a IEEE Journal for possible publicatio

Efficient Nonlinear Model Predictive Control of Automated Vehicles

In this paper, an efficient model predictive control (MPC) of velocity tracking of automated vehicles is proposed, in which a reference signal is given a priori. Five degree-of-freedom vehicle dynamics with nonlinear tires is chosen as the prediction model, in which coupling characteristics of longitudinal and lateral dynamics are taken into account. In order to balance computational burden and prediction accuracy, Koopman operator theory is adopted to transform the nonlinear model into a global linear model. Then, the global linear model is used in the design of MPC to reduce online computational burden and avoid solving nonconvex/nonlinear optimization problems. Furthermore, the effectiveness of Koopman operator in vehicle dynamics control is verified using a Matlab/Simulink environment. Validation results demonstrate that dynamic mode decomposition with control (DMDc) and extended dynamic mode decomposition (EDMD) algorithms are more accurate in model validation and dynamic prediction than local linearization, and DMDc algorithm has less computational burden on solving optimization problems than the EDMD algorithm

Efficient Nonlinear Model Predictive Control of Automated Vehicles

In this paper, an efficient model predictive control (MPC) of velocity tracking of automated vehicles is proposed, in which a reference signal is given a priori. Five degree-of-freedom vehicle dynamics with nonlinear tires is chosen as the prediction model, in which coupling characteristics of longitudinal and lateral dynamics are taken into account. In order to balance computational burden and prediction accuracy, Koopman operator theory is adopted to transform the nonlinear model into a global linear model. Then, the global linear model is used in the design of MPC to reduce online computational burden and avoid solving nonconvex/nonlinear optimization problems. Furthermore, the effectiveness of Koopman operator in vehicle dynamics control is verified using a Matlab/Simulink environment. Validation results demonstrate that dynamic mode decomposition with control (DMDc) and extended dynamic mode decomposition (EDMD) algorithms are more accurate in model validation and dynamic prediction than local linearization, and DMDc algorithm has less computational burden on solving optimization problems than the EDMD algorithm