Localized LQR Optimal Control

Abstract: This paper introduces a receding horizon like control scheme for localizable distributed systems, in which the effect of each local disturbance is limited spatially and temporally. We characterize such systems by a set of linear equality constraints, and show that the resulting feasibility test can be solved in a localized and distributed way. We also show that the solution of the local feasibility tests can be used to synthesize a receding horizon like controller that achieves the desired closed loop response in a localized manner as well. Finally, we formulate the Localized LQR (LLQR) optimal control problem and derive an analytic solution for the optimal controller. Through a numerical example, we show that the LLQR optimal controller, with its constraints on locality, settling time, and communication delay, can achieve similar performance as an unconstrained H2 optimal controller, but can be designed and implemented in a localized and distributed way.