Reliable solution of convex quadratic programs with parametric active set methods

Parametric Active Set Methods (PASM) are a relatively new class of methods to solve convex Quadratic Programming (QP) problems. They are based on tracing the solution along a linear homotopy between a QP with known solution and the QP to be solved. We explicitly identify numerical challenges in PASM and develop strategies to meet these … Read more

Combinatorial Integral Approximation

We are interested in structures and efficient methods for mixed-integer nonlinear programs (MINLP) that arise from a first discretize, then optimize approach to time-dependent mixed-integer optimal control problems (MIOCPs). In this study we focus on combinatorial constraints, in particular on restrictions on the number of switches on a fixed time grid. We propose a novel … Read more

A Factorization with Update Procedures for a KKT Matrix Arising in Direct Optimal Control

Quadratic programs obtained for optimal control problems of dynamic or discrete–time processes usually involve highly block structured Hessian and constraints matrices. Efficient numerical methods for the solution of such QPs have to respect and exploit this block structure. In interior point methods, this is elegantly achieved by the widespread availability of advanced sparse symmetric indefinite … Read more

Block Structured Quadratic Programming for the Direct Multiple Shooting Method for Optimal Control

In this contribution we address the efficient solution of optimal control problems of dynamic processes with many controls. Such problems arise, e.g., from the outer convexification of integer control decisions. We treat this optimal control problem class using the direct multiple shooting method to discretize the optimal control problem. The resulting nonlinear problems are solved … Read more