Introduction To Stochastic Control Theory

This text for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students explores stochastic control theory in terms of analysis, parametric optimization, and optimal stochastic control. Limited to linear systems with quadratic criteria, it covers discrete time as well as continuous time systems. The first three chapters provide motivation and background material on stochastic processes, followed by an analysis of dynamical systems with inputs of stochastic processes. A simple version of the problem of optimal control of stochastic systems is discussed, along with an example of an industrial application of this theory. Subsequent discussions cover filtering and prediction theory as well as the general stochastic control problem for linear systems with quadratic criteria. Each chapter begins with the discrete time version of a problem and progresses to a more challenging continuous time version of the same problem. Prerequisites include courses in analysis and probability theory in addition to a course in dynamical systems that covers frequency response and the state-space approach for continuous time and discrete time systems.

This book offers a systematic introduction to the optimal stochastic control theory via the dynamic programming principle, which is a powerful tool to analyze control problems. First we consider completely observable control problems with finite horizons. Using a time discretization we construct a nonlinear semigroup related to the dynamic programming principle (DPP), whose generator provides the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation, and we characterize the value function via the nonlinear semigroup, besides the viscosity solution theory. When we control not only the dynamics of a system but also the terminal time of its evolution, control-stopping problems arise. This problem is treated in the same frameworks, via the nonlinear semigroup. Its results are applicable to the American option price problem. Zero-sum two-player time-homogeneous stochastic differential games and viscosity solutions of the Isaacs equations arising from such games are studied via a nonlinear semigroup related to DPP (the min-max principle, to be precise). Using semi-discretization arguments, we construct the nonlinear semigroups whose generators provide lower and upper Isaacs equations. Concerning partially observable control problems, we refer to stochastic parabolic equations driven by colored Wiener noises, in particular, the Zakai equation. The existence and uniqueness of solutions and regularities as well as Itô's formula are stated. A control problem for the Zakai equations has a nonlinear semigroup whose generator provides the HJB equation on a Banach space. The value function turns out to be a unique viscosity solution for the HJB equation under mild conditions. This edition provides a more generalized treatment of the topic than does the earlier book Lectures on Stochastic Control Theory (ISI Lecture Notes 9), where time-homogeneous cases are dealt with. Here, for finite time-horizon control problems, DPP was formulated as a one-parameter nonlinear semigroup, whose generator provides the HJB equation, by using a time-discretization method. The semigroup corresponds to the value function and is characterized as the envelope of Markovian transition semigroups of responses for constant control processes. Besides finite time-horizon controls, the book discusses control-stopping problems in the same frameworks.

More than a decade ago, world-renowned control systems authority Frank L. Lewis introduced what would become a standard textbook on estimation, under the title Optimal Estimation, used in top universities throughout the world. The time has come for a new edition of this classic text, and Lewis enlisted the aid of two accomplished experts to bring the book completely up to date with the estimation methods driving today's high-performance systems. A Classic Revisited Optimal and Robust Estimation: With an Introduction to Stochastic Control Theory, Second Edition reflects new developments in estimation theory and design techniques. As the title suggests, the major feature of this edition is the inclusion of robust methods. Three new chapters cover the robust Kalman filter, H-infinity filtering, and H-infinity filtering of discrete-time systems. Modern Tools for Tomorrow's Engineers This text overflows with examples that highlight practical applications of the theory and concepts. Design algorithms appear conveniently in tables, allowing students quick reference, easy implementation into software, and intuitive comparisons for selecting the best algorithm for a given application. In addition, downloadable MATLAB® code allows students to gain hands-on experience with industry-standard software tools for a wide variety of applications. This cutting-edge and highly interactive text makes teaching, and learning, estimation methods easier and more modern than ever.

Describes the use of optimal control and estimation in the design of robots, controlled mechanisms, and navigation and guidance systems. Covers control theory specifically for students with minimal background in probability theory. Presents optimal estimation theory as a tutorial with a direct, well-organized approach and a parallel treatment of discrete and continuous time systems. Gives practical examples and computer simulations. Provides enough mathematical rigor to put results on a firm foundation without an overwhelming amount of proofs and theorems.

This book contains an introduction to three topics in stochastic control: discrete time stochastic control, i. e. , stochastic dynamic programming (Chapter 1), piecewise - terministic control problems (Chapter 3), and control of Ito diffusions (Chapter 4). The chapters include treatments of optimal stopping problems. An Appendix - calls material from elementary probability theory and gives heuristic explanations of certain more advanced tools in probability theory. The book will hopefully be of interest to students in several ?elds: economics, engineering, operations research, ?nance, business, mathematics. In economics and business administration, graduate students should readily be able to read it, and the mathematical level can be suitable for advanced undergraduates in mathem- ics and science. The prerequisites for reading the book are only a calculus course and a course in elementary probability. (Certain technical comments may demand a slightly better background. ) As this book perhaps (and hopefully) will be read by readers with widely diff- ing backgrounds, some general advice may be useful: Don’t be put off if paragraphs, comments, or remarks contain material of a seemingly more technical nature that you don’t understand. Just skip such material and continue reading, it will surely not be needed in order to understand the main ideas and results. The presentation avoids the use of measure theory.

Providing an introduction to stochastic optimal control in infinite dimension, this book gives a complete account of the theory of second-order HJB equations in infinite-dimensional Hilbert spaces, focusing on its applicability to associated stochastic optimal control problems. It features a general introduction to optimal stochastic control, including basic results (e.g. the dynamic programming principle) with proofs, and provides examples of applications. A complete and up-to-date exposition of the existing theory of viscosity solutions and regular solutions of second-order HJB equations in Hilbert spaces is given, together with an extensive survey of other methods, with a full bibliography. In particular, Chapter 6, written by M. Fuhrman and G. Tessitore, surveys the theory of regular solutions of HJB equations arising in infinite-dimensional stochastic control, via BSDEs. The book is of interest to both pure and applied researchers working in the control theory of stochastic PDEs, and in PDEs in infinite dimension. Readers from other fields who want to learn the basic theory will also find it useful. The prerequisites are: standard functional analysis, the theory of semigroups of operators and its use in the study of PDEs, some knowledge of the dynamic programming approach to stochastic optimal control problems in finite dimension, and the basics of stochastic analysis and stochastic equations in infinite-dimensional spaces.

This book may be regarded as consisting of two parts. In Chapters I-IV we pre sent what we regard as essential topics in an introduction to deterministic optimal control theory. This material has been used by the authors for one semester graduate-level courses at Brown University and the University of Kentucky. The simplest problem in calculus of variations is taken as the point of departure, in Chapter I. Chapters II, III, and IV deal with necessary conditions for an opti mum, existence and regularity theorems for optimal controls, and the method of dynamic programming. The beginning reader may find it useful first to learn the main results, corollaries, and examples. These tend to be found in the earlier parts of each chapter. We have deliberately postponed some difficult technical proofs to later parts of these chapters. In the second part of the book we give an introduction to stochastic optimal control for Markov diffusion processes. Our treatment follows the dynamic pro gramming method, and depends on the intimate relationship between second order partial differential equations of parabolic type and stochastic differential equations. This relationship is reviewed in Chapter V, which may be read inde pendently of Chapters I-IV. Chapter VI is based to a considerable extent on the authors' work in stochastic control since 1961. It also includes two other topics important for applications, namely, the solution to the stochastic linear regulator and the separation principle.

This book gathers the most essential results, including recent ones, on linear-quadratic optimal control problems, which represent an important aspect of stochastic control. It presents the results in the context of finite and infinite horizon problems, and discusses a number of new and interesting issues. Further, it precisely identifies, for the first time, the interconnections between three well-known, relevant issues – the existence of optimal controls, solvability of the optimality system, and solvability of the associated Riccati equation. Although the content is largely self-contained, readers should have a basic grasp of linear algebra, functional analysis and stochastic ordinary differential equations. The book is mainly intended for senior undergraduate and graduate students majoring in applied mathematics who are interested in stochastic control theory. However, it will also appeal to researchers in other related areas, such as engineering, management, finance/economics and the social sciences.