Approaches to numerical solution of optimal control problem using evolutionary computations

Two approaches to the numerical solution of the optimal control problem are studied. The direct approach is based on the reduction of the optimal control problem to a nonlinear programming problem. Another approach is so-called synthesized optimal control, and it includes the solution of the control synthesis problem and stabilization at some point in the state space, followed by the search of stabilization points and movement of the control object along these points. The comparison of these two approaches was carried out as the solution of the optimal control problem as a time function cannot be directly used in the control system, although the obtained discretized control can be embedded. The control object was a group of interacting mobile robots. Dynamic and static constraints were included in the quality criterion. Implemented methods were evolutionary algorithms and a random parameter search of piecewise linear approximation and coordinates of stabilization points, along with a multilayer network operator for control synthesis. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.