Stochastic Analysis Filtering And Stochastic Optimization

This volume is a collection of research works to honor the late Professor Mark H.A. Davis, whose pioneering work in the areas of Stochastic Processes, Filtering, and Stochastic Optimization spans more than five decades. Invited authors include his dissertation advisor, past collaborators, colleagues, mentees, and graduate students of Professor Davis, as well as scholars who have worked in the above areas. Their contributions may expand upon topics in piecewise deterministic processes, pathwise stochastic calculus, martingale methods in stochastic optimization, filtering, mean-field games, time-inconsistency, as well as impulse, singular, risk-sensitive and robust stochastic control.

This book introduces some advanced topics in probability theories ? both pure and applied ? is divided into two parts. The first part deals with the analysis of stochastic dynamical systems, in terms of Gaussian processes, white noise theory, and diffusion processes. The second part of the book discusses some up-to-date applications of optimization theories, martingale measure theories, reliability theories, stochastic filtering theories and stochastic algorithms towards mathematical finance issues such as option pricing and hedging, bond market analysis, volatility studies and asset trading modeling.

This book provides a rigorous mathematical treatment of the non-linear stochastic filtering problem using modern methods. Particular emphasis is placed on the theoretical analysis of numerical methods for the solution of the filtering problem via particle methods. The book should provide sufficient background to enable study of the recent literature. While no prior knowledge of stochastic filtering is required, readers are assumed to be familiar with measure theory, probability theory and the basics of stochastic processes. Most of the technical results that are required are stated and proved in the appendices. Exercises and solutions are included.

This book is devoted to an investigation of some important problems of mod ern filtering theory concerned with systems of 'any nature being able to per ceive, store and process an information and apply it for control and regulation'. (The above quotation is taken from the preface to [27]). Despite the fact that filtering theory is l'argely worked out (and its major issues such as the Wiener-Kolmogorov theory of optimal filtering of stationary processes and Kalman-Bucy recursive filtering theory have become classical) a development of the theory is far from complete. A great deal of recent activity in this area is observed, researchers are trying consistently to generalize famous results, extend them to more broad classes of processes, realize and justify more simple procedures for processing measurement data in order to obtain more efficient filtering algorithms. As to nonlinear filter ing, it remains much as fragmentary. Here much progress has been made by R. L. Stratonovich and his successors in the area of filtering of Markov processes. In this volume an effort is made to advance in certain of these issues. The monograph has evolved over many years, coming of age by stages. First it was an impressive job of gathering together the bulk of the impor tant contributions to estimation theory, an understanding and moderniza tion of some of its results and methods, with the intention of applying them to recursive filtering problems.

In view of Professor Wendell Fleming's many fundamental contributions, his profound influence on the mathematical and systems theory communi ties, his service to the profession, and his dedication to mathematics, we have invited a number of leading experts in the fields of control, optimiza tion, and stochastic systems to contribute to this volume in his honor on the occasion of his 70th birthday. These papers focus on various aspects of stochastic analysis, control theory and optimization, and applications. They include authoritative expositions and surveys as well as research papers on recent and important issues. The papers are grouped according to the following four major themes: (1) large deviations, risk sensitive and Hoc control, (2) partial differential equations and viscosity solutions, (3) stochastic control, filtering and parameter esti mation, and (4) mathematical finance and other applications. We express our deep gratitude to all of the authors for their invaluable contributions, and to the referees for their careful and timely reviews. We thank Harold Kushner for having graciously agreed to undertake the task of writing the foreword. Particular thanks go to H. Thomas Banks for his help, advice and suggestions during the entire preparation process, as well as for the generous support of the Center for Research in Scientific Computation. The assistance from the Birkhauser professional staff is also greatly appreciated.

Stochastic Filtering Theory uses probability tools to estimate unobservable stochastic processes that arise in many applied fields including communication, target-tracking, and mathematical finance. As a topic, Stochastic Filtering Theory has progressed rapidly in recent years. For example, the (branching) particle system representation of the optimal filter has been extensively studied to seek more effective numerical approximations of the optimal filter; the stability of the filter with "incorrect" initial state, as well as the long-term behavior of the optimal filter, has attracted the attention of many researchers; and although still in its infancy, the study of singular filtering models has yielded exciting results. In this text, Jie Xiong introduces the reader to the basics of Stochastic Filtering Theory before covering these key recent advances. The text is written in a style suitable for graduates in mathematics and engineering with a background in basic probability.

Stochastic programming is the study of procedures for decision making under the presence of uncertainties and risks. Stochastic programming approaches have been successfully used in a number of areas such as energy and production planning, telecommunications, and transportation. Recently, the practical experience gained in stochastic programming has been expanded to a much larger spectrum of applications including financial modeling, risk management, and probabilistic risk analysis. Major topics in this volume include: (1) advances in theory and implementation of stochastic programming algorithms; (2) sensitivity analysis of stochastic systems; (3) stochastic programming applications and other related topics. Audience: Researchers and academies working in optimization, computer modeling, operations research and financial engineering. The book is appropriate as supplementary reading in courses on optimization and financial engineering.