Some Insights on Synthesizing Optimal Linear Quadratic Controller Using Krotov's Sufficiency Conditions

Abstract: This paper revisits the problem of optimal control law design for linear systems using the global optimal control framework introduced by Vadim Krotov. Krotov's approach is based on the idea of total decomposition of the original optimal control problem (OCP) with respect to time, by an $ad$ $hoc$ choice of the so-called Krotov's function or solving function, thereby providing sufficient conditions for the existence of global solution based on another optimization problem, which is completely equivalent to the original OCP. It is well known that the solution of this equivalent optimization problem is obtained using an iterative method. In this paper, we propose suitable Krotov's functions for linear quadratic OCP and subsequently, show that by imposing convexity condition on this equivalent optimization problem, there is no need to compute an iterative solution. We also give some key insights into the solution procedure of the linear quadratic OCP using the proposed methodology in contrast to the celebrated Calculus of Variations (CoV) and Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation based approach.