Direct optimization methods applied to direct adaptive control

• Grant number: 14/00539-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: June 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Industrial Electronics, Electronic Systems and Controls
• Principal Investigator: Diego Colón
• Grantee: Guilherme Scabin Vicinansa
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 14/21388-0 - Direct optimization in model predictive control, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

The objective of this research project is the application of direct optimization methods (that is, derivative-free methods), in particular, the barycenter method, in the área of Control Theory (classical, adaptive and estimation and filtering). The final goal is the application of these methods in direct adpative control, in order to design an adaptation rule for the control parameters based in a on-line minimization of a initially unknown cost function (integral of error squared). Several optimization methods will be studied and compared, including direct (Nelder-Mead, particle swarm) and traditional (derivative-based) methods, like gradient and Newton. In particular, the barycenter method will be the most investigated, as it is the main research interest for the supervisor. The student will also learn relevant concepts of control theory for the Project. Simulations will be conducted in MATLAB and will be of great value for the supervisor research.