Solution of low-dimensional constrained model predictive control problems

Large benefits are possible by utilizing the solution of the constrained optimization problem involved in model predictive control. For a special case of these problems, the solution can be obtained relatively easily from its relationship with the unconstrained optimum. In this paper, a visualization of the relationship between the constrained and unconstrained optimum is presented. Based upon this relationship, a method for finding the constrained optimum is proposed that is suitable for low-dimensional control systems. A comparison with a linear programming formulation on 2 × 2 and 3 × 3 problems shows that the computational effort can be 10–35 times lower. For such processes, the proposed approach may allow one to avail the benefits of optimization by using the small process control systems already present in many plants.