Control system design subject to SNR constraints

• Published in: Automatica (Oxford) Vol. 46; no. 2; pp. 428 - 436
• Main Authors: Silva, Eduardo I., Goodwin, Graham C., Quevedo, Daniel E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Channels; Compatibility; Computer science; control theory; systems; Computer systems and distributed systems. User interface; Control system synthesis; Control systems; Control systems design; Control theory. Systems; Exact sciences and technology; Linear time-invariant systems; Networked control systems; Networks; Optimal control; Optimization; Process control. Computer integrated manufacturing; Scalars; Signal to noise ratio; Software; Stability; Linear time-invariant systems; Signal-to-noise ratio; Networks; Networked control systems; Optimal control; Additive noise; Network architecture; Feedback regulation; Control synthesis; Distributed system; Convex programming; Linear time invariant system; Distributed control; Signal to noise ratio
• ISSN: 0005-1098; 1873-2836
• DOI: 10.1016/j.automatica.2009.12.001

This paper deals with networked control systems comprising LTI plants controlled over scalar additive noise channels subject to signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) constraints. We present a general framework, based upon convex optimization concepts, that can accommodate several situations of interest. Our results make explicit the fact that exploiting feedback around the channel plays a key role in reducing the minimal SNR that is compatible with stability. The results also provide a characterization of the best achievable performance subject to an SNR constraint. We apply the results to specific networked control architectures, and provide a numerical example.