An MPC approach to output-feedback control of stochastic linear discrete-time systems

Abstract: In this paper we propose an output-feedback Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm for linear discrete-time systems affected by a possibly unbounded additive noise and subject to probabilistic constraints. In case the noise distribution is unknown, the chance constraints on the input and state variables are reformulated by means of the Chebyshev - Cantelli inequality. The recursive feasibility of the proposed algorithm is guaranteed and the convergence of the state to a suitable neighbor of the origin is proved under mild assumptions. The implementation issues are thoroughly addressed showing that, with a proper choice of the design parameters, its computational load can be made similar to the one of a standard stabilizing MPC algorithm. Two examples are discussed in details, with the aim of providing an insight on the performance achievable by the proposed control scheme.