Application of l1 optimal control to the engine idle speed control problem

In this paper, the engine idle speed control (ISC) problem is revisited with the l₁ optimization design methodology. A controller configuration consisting of a feedback linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) optimal controller and a feedforward l₁ optimal controller is chosen to satisfy the design objectives. The main goal of this work is to demonstrate the application of the l₁ optimal control methodology on a standard automotive control problem and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the l₁ design method. Using the idle bypass valve as the only actuator, the l₁ optimal feedforward control is shown to be effective in reducing the idle speed errors at the expense of extra control energy being spent during the transient. The controller design process is described along with the simulation and experimental results on a 4.6L 2 valve V8 production engine. A method to address tradeoff issues in evaluating the performance of a feedforward control system is also discussed