Optimal control of non‐linear distributed parameter systems by a finite‐element collocation technique

Abstract

A finite-element collocation technique is proposed for solving non-linear distributed parameter system (DPS) optimal control problems. On each element, two Gaussian collocation points and Hermite approximation functions are used in the finite-element collocation technique. The numerical experience for two non-linear DPS, one involving distributed control and the other involving spatially-independent control, is reported. Optimal control of DPS can be computed with relatively low-order models when this finite-element collocation technique is used.