An algorithm for iterative learning control is proposed based on an optimisation principle used by other authors to derive gradient-type algorithms. The new algorithm is a descent algorithm and has potential benefits which include realisation in terms of Riccati feedback and feedforward components. This realisation also has the advantage of implicitly ensuring automatic step-size selection and hence guaranteeing convergence without the need for empirical choice of parameters. The algorithm achieves a geometric rate of convergence for invertible plants. One important feature of the proposed algorithm is the dependence of the speed of convergence on weight parameters appearing in the norms of the signals chosen for the optimisation problem.

Annually, 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke, and 5 million are left permanently disabled. A stroke is usually caused when a blood clot blocks a vessel in the brain and acts like a dam, stopping the blood reaching the regions downstream. Alternatively, it may be caused by a hemorrhage, in which a vessel ruptures and leaks blood into surrounding areas. As a result, some of the connecting nerve cells die, and the person commonly suffers partial paralysis on one side of the body, termed hemiplegia. Cells killed in this way cannot regrow, but the brain has some spare capacity and, hence, new connections can be made. The brain is continually and rapidly changing as new skills are learned, new connections are formed, and redundant ones disappear. A person who relearns skills after a stroke goes through the same process as someone learning to play tennis or a baby learning to walk, requiring sensory feedback during the repeated practice of a task. Unfortunately, the problem is that they can hardly move and, therefore, do not receive feedback on their performance.

A new optimization-based iterative learning control algorithm is proposed and its properties derived. An important characteristic of this algorithm is that it uses present and future predicted errors to compute the current control, in a similar manner to model-based predictive control using a receding horizon. In particular, it enables the algorithm designer to achieve good control over convergence rate. The actual implementation has a multimodel structure but uses standard linear quadratic regulator methods for a causal formulation (in the iterative learning sense) of what is originally a non-causal algorithm. The results are illustrated by simulations.

This paper addresses the problem of reducing the impact of periodic disturbances arising from the current sensor offset error on the speed control of a permanent-magnet synchronous motor. The new results are based on a cascade model predictive control scheme with an embedded disturbance model. Supporting experimental results, where the per-unit model is used to improve numerical conditioning, are also given.