Offline NMPC for continuous-time systems using sum of squares

An offline nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) approach for continuous time nonlinear systems subject to input and state constraints is presented. The approach deals with nonlinear systems which can be represented by polynomial parameter-varying systems. Since the applicability of NMPC is often limited by the speed at which an optimization problem can be solved online, we propose an NMPC scheme with drastically reduced online computational burden. The basic idea involves the offline computation of nested invariant sets and associated feedback laws by solving a convex optimization problem subject to sum of squares (SOS) constraints via semideflnite programming (SDP). Online, a search algorithm is executed to determine the feedback law suitable for the current state. The resulting offline NMPC controller guarantees stability and constraint satisfaction. Its applicability and effectiveness is shown by means of simulation of an example system.