Optimal control of linearly constrained linear systems via state parametrization

This paper presents a general computational tool for determining the near‐optimal trajectories of linear, lumped parameter, dynamic systems subjected to linear constraints. In the proposed approach each state variable is approximated by the sum of a third‐order polynomial and a finite term Fourier‐type series. This enables a linearly constrained optimal control problem to be converted into a linearly constrained mathematical programming problem. Simulation results demonstrate that the approach accurately predicts the optimal performance index and the optimal state and control trajectories.