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Theory and Numerics of Model Reduction

Most numerical simulations are based on complex mathematical models, often described by partial differential equations (PDEs). A typical use of such simulations is the measurement and control of output quantities such as heat, noise, and stress at critical points of the domain with respect to a selected set of input parameters. The fundamental idea of model reduction is that this input-output behaviour can often be well approximated by a much simpler model than needed for describing the entire state of the simulation. In this lecture, we consider automatic model reduction techniques that are primarily based on numerical control theory. In contrast to classical approaches, such techniques require little or no understanding of the underlying model.

Once model reduction has been performed, the original model can be replaced by the resulting simpler model, leading to reduced simulation times and greatly facilitating the further analysis and design of a control system. For instance, often only a low-order model allows for the use of more sophisticated robust and optimal control techniques. With the advances of modern control theory, model reduction has become an important and rapidely changing field with a large diversity of application areas, including structural and fluid dynamics, biosystems, circuit simulation, and micro-electro-mechanical systems.


Oberwolfach model reduction benchmark collection

Lecturers

Martin Gutknecht
Daniel Kressner
Assistant: Christine Tobler

Dates

The lecture take place every Wednesday, 10-12, HG D 5.2. The first lecture is on 18.02.2009.

The exercises take place every Friday, 13-14, HG D 3.2. The first exercise is on 20.02. and provides a brief introduction into the Matlab Control Toolbox (exact details to be provided soon).

Contents of this course

  • Short introduction into the basics of control theory (state space formulation, transfer function, system norms, stability, controllability, observability, minimal realization).
  • Balanced truncation model reduction
  • H2-optimal model reduction
  • POD
  • Mathematical tools (rational interpolation, nonlinear approximation)
  • Numerical techniques (ADI, Krylov subspace methods, sign function iteration)
  • Selection of current research directions in model reduction (nonlinear systems, descriptor systems, passivity preservation, structure preservation).

Teaching material

  • Lectures 1 and 2: Introduction into mathematical control theory (intro.pdf).
  • Supplementary material for balanced truncation (balanced.pdf)
  • Supplementary material for Lyapunov equations (lyapunov.pdf)
  • Supplementary material for ADI methods (adi.pdf)
  • T. Stykel: Model reduction for differential-algebraic equations (descriptor.pdf)

Exercises

See separate web site.

Literature

The lecture will be as self-contained as possible. Some additional literature on control theory and model reduction:

Overview web pages on model reduction

modelreduction.com
Model reduction at Rice
Model reduction at MIT