Henk J. van Waarde

In this study, we propose new global stabilization approaches for a class of polynomial systems in both model-based and data-driven settings. The existing model-based approach guarantees global asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system only when the Lyapunov function is radially unbounded, which limits its applicability. To overcome this limitation, we develop a new global stabilization approach that allows a broader class of Lyapunov function candidates. Furthermore, we extend this approach to the data-driven setting, considering Lyapunov function candidates with the same functional structure. Using data corrupted by bounded noise, we derive conditions for constructing globally stabilizing controllers for unknown polynomial systems. The proposed data-driven approach can be readily adapted to incorporate further prior knowledge of system parameters to reduce conservatism. In both approaches, sum-of-squares relaxation is used to ensure computational tractability of the involved conditions.

Energy-based learning algorithms are alternatives to backpropagation and are well-suited to distributed implementations in analog electronic devices. However, a rigorous theory of convergence is lacking. We make a first step in this direction by analysing a particular energy based learning algorithm, Contrastive Learning, applied to a network of linear adjustable resistors. It is shown that, in this setup, Contrastive Learning is equivalent to projected gradient descent on a convex function with Lipschitz continuous gradient, giving a guarantee of convergence of the algorithm for a range of stepsizes. This convergence result is then extended to a stochastic variant of Contrastive Learning.

This paper studies the problem of verifying dissipativity of linear time-invariant (LTI) systems using input-output data. We leverage behavioral systems theory to express dissipativity in terms of quadratic difference forms (QDFs), allowing the study of general dynamic quadratic supply rates. We work under the assumptions that the data-generating system is controllable, and an upper bound is given on its lag. As our main results, we provide sufficient conditions for the data to be informative for dissipativity. We also show that for a specific class of static supply rates, these conditions are both necessary and sufficient. For the latter supply rates, it turns out that certification of dissipativity is only possible from data that enable unique system identification. As auxiliary results, we highlight some properties of QDFs, such as upper bounds on the degree of storage functions.

In this paper, we consider the problem of designing input signals for an unknown linear time-invariant system in such a way that the resulting input-state data is suitable for identification or stabilization. We will take into account prior knowledge on system-theoretic properties of the system, in particular, controllability and stabilizability. For this, we extend the notion of universal inputs to incorporate prior knowledge on the system. An input is called universal for identification (resp., stabilization) if, when applied to any system complying with the prior knowledge, it results in data suitable for identification (resp., stabilization) regardless of the initial condition. We provide a full characterization of such universal inputs. In addition, we discuss online experiment design using prior knowledge, and we study cases where this approach results in the shortest possible experiment for identification and stabilization.

In this work, we study data-driven stabilization of linear time-invariant systems using prior knowledge of system-theoretic properties, specifically stabilizability and controllability. To formalize this, we extend the concept of data informativity by requiring the existence of a controller that stabilizes all systems consistent with the data and the prior knowledge. We show that if the system is controllable, then incorporating this as prior knowledge does not relax the conditions required for data-driven stabilization. Remarkably, however, we show that if the system is stabilizable, then using this as prior knowledge leads to necessary and sufficient conditions that are weaker than those for data-driven stabilization without prior knowledge. In other words, data-driven stabilization is easier if one knows that the underlying system is stabilizable. We also provide new data-driven control design methods in terms of linear matrix inequalities that complement the conditions for informativity.

This paper studies sets of matrices induced by quadratic inequalities. In particular, the center and radius of a smallest ball containing the set, called a Chebyshev center and the Chebyshev radius , are studied. In addition, this work studies the diameter of the set, which is the farthest distance between any two elements of the set. Closed-form solutions are provided for a Chebyshev center, the Chebyshev radius, and the diameter of sets induced by quadratic matrix inequalities (QMIs) with respect to arbitrary unitarily invariant norms. Examples of these norms include the Frobenius norm, spectral norm, nuclear norm, Schatten p -norms, and Ky Fan k -norms. In addition, closed-form solutions are presented for the radius of the largest ball within a QMI-induced set. Finally, the paper discusses applications of the presented results in data-driven modeling and control.

Memristors are nonlinear two-terminal circuit elements whose resistance at a given time depends on past electrical stimuli. Recently, networks of memristors have received attention in neuromorphic computing since they can be used to implement Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) in hardware. For this, one can use a class of memristive circuits called crossbar arrays. In this paper, we describe a circuit implementation of an ANN and resolve three questions concerning such an implementation. In particular, we show (1) how to evaluate the implementation at an input, (2) how the resistance values of the memristors at a given time can be determined from external (current) measurements, and (3) how the resistances can be steered to desired values by applying suitable external voltages to the network. The results will be applied to two examples: an academic example to show proof of concept and an ANN that was trained using the MNIST dataset.

In this letter, we provide new insight into Willems et al.’s fundamental lemma by studying the concept of universal inputs. An input is called universal if, when applied to any controllable system, it leads to input-output data that parametrizes all finite trajectories of the system. By the fundamental lemma, inputs that are persistently exciting of sufficiently high order are universal. The main contribution of this work is to prove the converse. Therefore, universality and persistency of excitation are equivalent.

In this study, we propose new global stabilization approaches for a class of polynomial systems in both model-based and data-driven settings. The existing model-based approach guarantees global asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system only when the Lyapunov function is radially unbounded, which limits its applicability. To overcome this limitation, we develop a new global stabilization approach that allows a broader class of Lyapunov function candidates. Furthermore, we extend this approach to the data-driven setting, considering Lyapunov function candidates with the same functional structure. Using data corrupted by bounded noise, we derive conditions for constructing globally stabilizing controllers for unknown polynomial systems. Beyond handling noise, the proposed data-driven approach can be readily adapted to incorporate further prior knowledge of system parameters to reduce conservatism. In both approaches, sum-of-squares relaxation is used to ensure computational tractability of the involved conditions.