Constrained control for uncertain linear systems

The linear state feedback synthesis problem for uncertain linear systems with state and control constraints is considered. We assume that the uncertainties are present in both the state and input matrices and they are bounded. The main goal is to find a linear control law assuring that both state and input constraints are fulfilled at each time. The problem is solved by confining the state within a compact and convex positively invariant set contained in the allowable state region.It is shown that, if the controls, the state, and the uncertainties are subject to linear inequality constraints and if a candidate compact and convex polyhedral set is assigned, a feedback matrix assuring that this region is positively invariant for the closed-loop system is found as a solution of a set of linear inequalities for both continuous and discrete time design problems.These results are extended to the case in which additive disturbances are present. The relationship between positive invariance and system stability is investigated and conditions for the existence of positively invariant regions of the polyhedral type are given.The author is grateful to Drs. Vito Cerone and Roberto Tempo for their comments.     

Pseudo-billiards

A new class of Hamiltonian dynamical systems with two degrees of freedom and kinetic energy of the form T = c₁|p₁| + c₂|p₂| (called “pseudo-billiards”) is studied. For any kind of interaction, the canonical equations can always be integrated on sequential time intervals; i.e. in principle all the trajectories can be found explicitly.

Depending on the potential, a dynamical system of this class can either be completely integrable or behave just as a usual non-integrable Hamiltonian system with two degrees of freedom: in its phase space there exist invariant tori, stochastic layers, domains of global chaos, etc. Pseudo-billiard models of both the types are considered.

If a potential of a pseudo-billiard system has critical points (equilibria), then trajectories close to these points (“loops”) can exist; they can be treated as images of self-localized objects with finite duration. Such a model (with quartic potential) is also studied.     

Entire radial solutions of elliptic systems and inequalities of the mean curvature type

In this paper we study first nonexistence of radial entire solutions of elliptic systems of the mean curvature type with a singular or degenerate diffusion depending on the solution u. In particular we extend a previous result given in [R. Filippucci, Nonexistence of radial entire solutions of elliptic systems, J. Differential Equations 188 (2003) 353-389]. Moreover, in the scalar case we obtain nonexistence of all entire solutions, radial or not, of differential inequalities involving again operators of the mean curvature type and a diffusion term. We prove that in the scalar case, nonexistence of entire solutions is due to the explosion of the derivative of every nonglobal radial solution in the right extremum of the maximal interval of existence, while in that point the solution is bounded. This behavior is qualitatively different with respect to what happens for the m-Laplacian operator, studied in [R. Filippucci, Nonexistence of radial entire solutions of elliptic systems, J. Differential Equations 188 (2003) 353-389], where nonexistence of entire solutions is due, even in the vectorial case, to the explosion in norm of the solution at a finite point. Our nonexistence theorems for inequalities extend previous results given by Naito and Usami in [Y. Naito, H. Usami, Entire solutions of the inequality div(A(|Du|)Du)?f(u), Math. Z. 225 (1997) 167-175] and Ghergu and Radulescu in [M. Ghergu, V. Radulescu, Existence and nonexistence of entire solutions to the logistic differential equation, Abstr. Appl. Anal. 17 (2003) 995-1003].     

Regularization of singular systems of linear algebraic equations by shifts

Regularization of singular systems of linear algebraic equations by shifts is examined. New equivalent conditions for the shift regularizability of such systems are derived.     

纯量反馈系统同时强镇定的充分条件

一个稳定的补偿器可同时镇定n个对象(同时强镇定)等价于一个补偿器(不一定稳定)同时镇定n 1个对象(同时镇定)．两个以上对象的同时强镇定和三个以上对象的伺时镇定是线性系统中一个急待解决的公开问题．文中所作的基本假定是所有的对象具有相同的简单不稳定零点，在此条件下给出了n个对象同时强镇定的一个充分条件．当仅有一个不稳定零点时．容易检验是否同时强镇定，否则仅需确定n个对象的不稳定零点并且判定由不稳定零点导出一个相应矩阵是正定的，就能判定n个对象同时强镇定．因此是一个易于检验的充分条件．文章同时给出了n个对象同时强镇定的算法，丰富了同时强镇定的充分条件．     

Mathematical analysis of investment systems

Investment systems are studied using a framework that emphasize their profiles (the cumulative probability distribution on all the possible percentage gains of trades) and their log return functions (the expected average return per trade in logarithmic scale as a function of the investment size in terms of the percentage of the available capital). The efficiency index for an investment system, defined as the maximum of the log return function, is proposed as a measure to compare investment systems for their intrinsic merit. This efficiency index can be viewed as a generalization of Shannon's information rate for a communication channel. Applications are illustrated.     

Vehicle density and velocity estimation on highways for on-ramp metering control

A scheme for vehicle density and velocity estimation in a stretch of highway based on a modified cell transmission model [C. F. Daganzo, Transportation Research, Part B, 28B(4),269–287, 1994. Elsevier is presented. The scheme is intended for use with on-ramp metering control algorithms, providing local knowledge of densities and velocities that is helpful to improve on-ramp metering control performance. Estimation of density is obtained by nonlinear estimators, while velocity estimation is obtained by gradient algorithms. There is one density–velocity estimator for free traffic flow and other for congested traffic flow. Both estimator schemes work in parallel. The final estimation of density and velocity results from a convex combination of the predictions of the two estimators. This combination depends on occupancy or density measurements at the boundaries of the stretch and is produced by a fuzzy inference system. Stability and convergence of the density and velocity estimation scheme is proved by Lyapunov based techniques. Simulation results comparing measured and estimated traffic data are presented. They confirm good performance of the estimators. Research sponsored by grants UNAM PAPIIT IN110403 and CONACYT 47583.