OPTEC Course on Numerical Methods for Optimal Control (Computer exercise) "Dynamic Programming and Pontryagin Minimum Principle"
This exercise session will be based on MATLAB and start with a simple dynamic programming (DP) exercise and then proceed to the indirect approach (Pontryagin). Course participants are encouraged to bring their own small scale optimal control problems with them, with maximum 2 states, preferably only one, and together we will decide which problem setup will be chosen as "default" that all participants solve first (this is better as we can then compare results). We start by recalling the theory and writing the algorithms on paper, and then go to the computer room to implement it and regard and compare the results and behaviour of DP and Pontryagin.
General info: This 6 lecture course is aimed at all OPTEC members that are interested in developing numerical methods for optimal control. It introduces the attendants into both, well-known and brand-new algorithmic ideas that are important for the optimal control software that is developed at OPTEC. It will also introduce into the technical vocabulary in the field.
9:30-10:30 computer exercise (theory and explanation) ESAT aud. A 10:30-13:00 computer exercise ESAT 91.46
Two OPTEC professors have been awarded three "Gouden Krijtjes", the yearly teaching awards given by the organization of engineering students (vtk). Prof. Lombaert was awarded the prize for the best course in civil engineering, and Prof. Diehl the prizes for the best professor and the best course in mathematical engineering (where he teaches numerical optimization). They received these awards at the yearly "proffentap" where experienced students taught them how to draft beer professionally.
