Spring 2013 textbook list
The Spring 2013 ECE textbook list is available online for students.
Current Prerequisites & Course Offering
For current prerequisites for a particular course, and to view course offerings for a particular semester, see the Virginia Tech Course Timetables.
ECE 6404 Optimal Control Systems (3C)
Application of dynamic programming and the calculus of variations to optimal control problems. Pontryagins maximum principle and its applications. Advanced optimization techniques.
What is the reason for this course?
Advanced graduate students require an understanding of optimal control systems. The course is at the 6000 level since it requires a graduate prerequisite. Optimal control design is useful for most engineering problems and therefore an understanding of the theory for such problems is extremely useful.
Typically offered: Fall. Program Area: Systems/Controls.
Prerequisites: 5404.
Why are these prerequisites or corequisites required?
The following material covered in 5404, or equivalent, is of significance to Optimal Control Systems. a. Quadratic performance measures. b. Linear quadratic regulator.
Department Syllabus Information:
Major Measurable Learning Objectives:- Propose appropriate model structures for systems to be controlled
- Determine an appropriate control based on dynamic programming principle
- Formulate Hamilton Jacobi equation for an optimal control problem
- Formulate the Hamiltonian dynamics using Pontryagin’s principle for an optimal control problem
| Course Topics | |
|---|---|
| Topic | Percentage |
| Dynamic programming | 20% |
| Calculus of variations | 20% |
| Variational approach to Optimal Control | 20% |
| Application of Pontryagin Principle | 20% |
| Advanced Topics | 20% |