Reducing the Prediction Horizon in NMPC: An Algorithm Based Approach

Abstract: In order to guarantee stability, known results for MPC without additional terminal costs or endpoint constraints often require rather large prediction horizons. Still, stable behavior of closed loop solutions can often be observed even for shorter horizons. Here, we make use of the recent observation that stability can be guaranteed for smaller prediction horizons via Lyapunov arguments if more than only the first control is implemented. Since such a procedure may be harmful in terms of robustness, we derive conditions which allow to increase the rate at which state measurements are used for feedback while maintaining stability and desired performance specifications. Our main contribution consists in developing two algorithms based on the deduced conditions and a corresponding stability theorem which ensures asymptotic stability for the MPC closed loop for significantly shorter prediction horizons.