Distributed-parameter optimal control via mathematical programming

In this paper a variety of optimal control (OC) problems for distributed- parameter (DP) systems are approached using mathematical programming (MP). First, the principal DP models in current use are given, a variety of DP objective functions is provided, and the OC problems based on them are formulated. Second, these models and objective functions are converted in algebraic form, as required by MP, and the solution procedure of the OC problems via MP is outlined. Third, a representative set of nonlinear programming results applied to DP systems is presented, and finally, a numvber of application examples is given.