Singular and Analytic Perturbations, Slow and Fast Time Scales in Control Theory and Viability Theory and their Applications. We propose an innovative approach to several important classes of mathematical problems, whose data depend analytically on small perturbation parameters. Time scale problems, and, in particular, the interaction of two types of evolution, slow and fast, arise in many scientific domains (biotechnology, physics, engineering, etc).We expect to develop new techniques for analy ....Singular and Analytic Perturbations, Slow and Fast Time Scales in Control Theory and Viability Theory and their Applications. We propose an innovative approach to several important classes of mathematical problems, whose data depend analytically on small perturbation parameters. Time scale problems, and, in particular, the interaction of two types of evolution, slow and fast, arise in many scientific domains (biotechnology, physics, engineering, etc).We expect to develop new techniques for analysis and asymptotic optimisation of singularly perturbed control systems and Markov decision processes. In particular, we plan to establish links between general nonlinear optimal control problems with time average criteria and linear programming problems in the space of limit occupational measures generated by the underlying control system.Read moreRead less
Analysis and design of control systems with saturation and time-delay. Control engineering is an enabling technology without which most modern engineering systems, such as aircrafts or Internet, can not operate properly. Actuator saturation and time-delays are undesirable phenomena that often arise in control systems leading to poor performance and sometimes instability. For example, both of these phenomena arise in control of modern telecommunication systems, such as Active Queue Management in ....Analysis and design of control systems with saturation and time-delay. Control engineering is an enabling technology without which most modern engineering systems, such as aircrafts or Internet, can not operate properly. Actuator saturation and time-delays are undesirable phenomena that often arise in control systems leading to poor performance and sometimes instability. For example, both of these phenomena arise in control of modern telecommunication systems, such as Active Queue Management in TCP networks. The project aims at tackling these phenomena by using recently developed techniques in antiwindup for saturating actuators and by revisiting some classical methods for Smith predictor design for time-delayed systems.Read moreRead less
Large Scale Complex Multiagent Systems : Control Methodologies and Information Architectures. Future military operations are likely to involve increasing use of unmanned vehicles, airborne, underwater or on land. In some cases there will be very large formations. This research will develop methodologies which allow formations of unmanned vehicles to be configured. Much of the same methodology is applicable to the construction and operation of large scale sensor networks, identified by some comm ....Large Scale Complex Multiagent Systems : Control Methodologies and Information Architectures. Future military operations are likely to involve increasing use of unmanned vehicles, airborne, underwater or on land. In some cases there will be very large formations. This research will develop methodologies which allow formations of unmanned vehicles to be configured. Much of the same methodology is applicable to the construction and operation of large scale sensor networks, identified by some commentators as one of the most important technologies of the 21st century. They comprise large numbers of low cost networked sensors and will increasingly find application in security, agricultural and environmental monitoring.Read moreRead less
Measurement Feedback Control of Nonlinear and Quantum Systems. The purpose of control systems is to regulate the behaviour of a diverse range of engineering systems including those found in aerospace, manufacturing and telecommunications, as well as in important emerging fields including quantum technology. The aim of this project is to develop measurement feedback design methodologies for systems modelled by nonlinear or quantum dynamics. The project is motivated by the need for systematic meth ....Measurement Feedback Control of Nonlinear and Quantum Systems. The purpose of control systems is to regulate the behaviour of a diverse range of engineering systems including those found in aerospace, manufacturing and telecommunications, as well as in important emerging fields including quantum technology. The aim of this project is to develop measurement feedback design methodologies for systems modelled by nonlinear or quantum dynamics. The project is motivated by the need for systematic methods for robust control system design. A central issue concerns suitable representation and use of measurement information for feedback control.Read moreRead less
Uncertain Systems Theory applied to Nonlinear Robust Control and Filtering. Feedback control systems are becoming increasingly important in manufacturing industry, the automotive industry, defence applications as well as in many non-industrial applications such as the management of the environment or the economy. By developing new techniques for the design of high performance robust nonlinear controllers and filters which are widely applicable in industrial applications, this project will help m ....Uncertain Systems Theory applied to Nonlinear Robust Control and Filtering. Feedback control systems are becoming increasingly important in manufacturing industry, the automotive industry, defence applications as well as in many non-industrial applications such as the management of the environment or the economy. By developing new techniques for the design of high performance robust nonlinear controllers and filters which are widely applicable in industrial applications, this project will help make existing industrial technologies more efficient and make new industrial technologies feasible. Moreover, the research training carried out in the project will add to available a pool of experts in the areas of robust nonlinear control and filtering. Read moreRead less
Development of robust adaptive and nonlinear control methodologies. Techniques will be developed that will allow industrial plants to operate with lower direct or environmental cost, and airborne vehicles to operate more efficiently or more safely.
Linear programming approach to nonlinear deterministic and stochastic control problems: perturbations methods and numerical analysis. The proposed research will significantly advance knowledge by creating new analytical and numerical methods for tackling complex nonlinear control problems arising in many applications. The study's outputs will lead to a deeper understanding of fundamental issues in mathematical modelling. Collaboration with renowned researchers will further improve Australia's st ....Linear programming approach to nonlinear deterministic and stochastic control problems: perturbations methods and numerical analysis. The proposed research will significantly advance knowledge by creating new analytical and numerical methods for tackling complex nonlinear control problems arising in many applications. The study's outputs will lead to a deeper understanding of fundamental issues in mathematical modelling. Collaboration with renowned researchers will further improve Australia's standing in the international research community. Also their visits may further promote research both within and outside the host institution. In particular, lectures and seminars that they will deliver will be transmitted to Australian universities participating in the Access Grid Room Project.Read moreRead less
New Model Predictive Control Design Methods. Automatic computer control is fundamental to sustaining a wide range of manufacturing, mineral processing, chemical processing, and other industries vital to the Australian economy. Furthermore, the efficiency, profitability, and environmental impact of these operations is directly linked to the quality of this computer control. In many situations, even a few percent improvement in automatic control delivers dividends measured in many millions of doll ....New Model Predictive Control Design Methods. Automatic computer control is fundamental to sustaining a wide range of manufacturing, mineral processing, chemical processing, and other industries vital to the Australian economy. Furthermore, the efficiency, profitability, and environmental impact of these operations is directly linked to the quality of this computer control. In many situations, even a few percent improvement in automatic control delivers dividends measured in many millions of dollars. This project will develop design tools allowing for more sophisticated, high performance control to be more widely employed. This will deliver the potential for economic and environmental benefits and energy savings to be achieved across a range of industries.Read moreRead less
Safe Adaptive Control. Adaptive controllers are intelligent controllers, which can redesign themselves as they learn more about the environment. There are many algorithms for adaptive controllers; some of them can cause unacceptable behaviour during the learning process. Safe adaptive controllers are those for which this behaviour is ruled out. This project is concerned with developing procedures for guaranteeing the safety property in a wide variety of situations.
Finite-dimensional Sampled-data Control of Nonlinear Spatially Distributed Parameter Systems. Optical communication networks, smart materials and fluid flows, are all examples of systems whose behaviour can be significantly improved by automatic control. These are identified as some of the key technologies that will shape our future. This project will contribute to the fundamental science and engineering design of such diverse systems. Two postdoctoral fellows and one graduate student will be t ....Finite-dimensional Sampled-data Control of Nonlinear Spatially Distributed Parameter Systems. Optical communication networks, smart materials and fluid flows, are all examples of systems whose behaviour can be significantly improved by automatic control. These are identified as some of the key technologies that will shape our future. This project will contribute to the fundamental science and engineering design of such diverse systems. Two postdoctoral fellows and one graduate student will be trained in this important emerging field.Read moreRead less