Optimal control locations for a class of large dynamic systems

This paper deals with the problem of determining optimal control locations for large interconnected dynamic systems where a limited number of control inputs are available. Particular applications presented include the stabilization of power systems during a stability crisis and the translation of large flexible space structures. A problem formulation is introduced that defines optimal control locations for large interconnected dynamic systems. Optimality is based on the concept of minimizing the maximum stretching of all connecting members over a defined class of inputs. Several types of large interconnected dynamic systems having structures that reveal optimal control locations are introduced. For these types of systems, optimality of control locations is proven analytically. A procedure, based on these analytic insights, for determining optimal control locations for any interconnected system is proposed. The procedure determines optimal control locations immediately from the structure of the dynamic equations (i.e. it does not require the computation needed to solve differential equations).