A hybrid approximation scheme for discretizing constrained quadratic optimal control problems

In this paper, a composite Chebyshev finite difference method for solving linear quadratic optimal control problems with inequality constraints on state and control variables is introduced. This method is an extension of Chebyshev finite difference scheme and is based on a hybrid of block-pulse functions and Chebyshev polynomials using the well known Chebyshev-Gauss-Lobatto nodes. The excellent properties of hybrid functions are used to convert optimal control problem into a mathematical programming problem whose solution is much more easier than the original one. Various types of optimal control problems are investigated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approximation scheme. The method is simple, easy to implement and provides very accurate results.