MPC-based computer network control strategy with stochastic time delay

This paper presents a novel model predictive control (MPC) strategy to overcome the adverse influences of stochastic time delay on a network control system (NCS). A controller node determines the predictive values of a manipulated variable and transmits them to the corresponding smart actuator node. If the present value of a manipulated variable is unavailable due to time delay, the actuator implements a predictive one. The switch of a manipulated variable between the present value and predictive may one cause the unsmooth operation of a system. Therefore, a simple low-pass filter is used to solve the problem. Similarly, when the present value of a controlled variable cannot reach the corresponding controller node in time from a smart sensor node, its predictive value is also employed by the controller node. A simulation study demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach in an NCS with stochastic time delay.