Approximate dynamic programming (ADP) faces challenges in dealing with constraints in control problems. Model predictive control (MPC) is, in comparison, well-known for its accommodation of constraints and stability guarantees, although its computation is sometimes prohibitive. This paper introduces an approach combining the two methodologies to overcome their individual limitations. The predictive control law for constrained linear quadratic regulation (CLQR) problems has been proven to be piecewise affine (PWA) while the value function is piecewise quadratic. We exploit these formal results from MPC to design an ADP method for CLQR problems with a known model. A novel convex and piecewise quadratic neural network with a local–global architecture is proposed to provide an accurate approximation of the value function, which is used as the cost-to-go function in the online dynamic programming problem. An efficient decomposition algorithm is developed to generate the control policy and speed up the online computation. Rigorous stability analysis of the closed-loop system is conducted for the proposed control scheme under the condition that a good approximation of the value function is achieved. Comparative simulations are carried out to demonstrate the potential of the proposed method in terms of online computation and optimality.

This paper deals with the problem of active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) design for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with sporadic measurements. A novel extended state observer (ESO) is designed in a cascade form consisting of a continuous time estimator, a continuous observation error predictor, and a reset compensator. The proposed ESO estimates not only the system state but also the total uncertainty, which may include the effects of the external perturbation, the parametric uncertainty, and the unknown nonlinear dynamics. Such a reset compensator, whose state is reset to zero whenever a new measurement arrives, is used to calibrate the predictor. Due to the cascade structure, the resulting error dynamics system is presented in a non-hybrid form, and accordingly, analyzed in a general sampled-data system framework. Based on the output of the ESO, a continuous ADRC law is then developed. The convergence of the resulting closed-loop system is proved under given conditions. Two numerical simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control method.