Solving optimal predictor-feedback control using approximate dynamic programming

This paper is concerned with approximately solving the optimal predictor-feedback control problem of multiplicative-noise systems with input delay in infinite horizon. The optimal predictor-feedback control, provided by the analytical method, is determined by Riccati–ZXL equations and is hard to obtain in the case of unknown system dynamics. We aim to propose a policy iteration (PI) algorithm for solving the optimal solution by approximate dynamic programming. For convergence analysis of the algorithm, we first develop a necessary and sufficient stabilizing condition, in the form of several new Lyapunov-type equations, which parameterizes all predictor-feedback controllers and can be seen as an important addition to Lyapunov stability theory. We then propose an iterative scheme for the Riccati–ZXL equations computations, along with convergence analysis, based on the condition. Inspired by this scheme, a data-driven online PI algorithm, convergence implied in that of the iterative scheme, is proposed for the optimal predictor-feedback control problem without full system dynamics. Finally, a numerical example is used to evaluate the proposed PI algorithm.