Dynamic control design based on limited model information

The design of optimal H₂ dynamic controllers for interconnected linear systems using limited plant model information is considered. Control design strategies based on various degrees of model information are compared using the competitive ratio as a performance metric, that is, the worst case control performance for a given design strategy normalized with the optimal control performance based on full model information. An explicit minimizer of the competitive ratio is found. It is shown that this control design strategy is not dominated by any other strategy with the same amount of model information. The result applies to a class of system interconnections and design information characterized through given plant, control, and design graphs.