Optimization Over Networks

Distributed optimization has become a vital aspect of research for multi-agent systems. On the one hand, it is important to study and develop algorithms that solve global optimization problem at a local and distributed level. This has immediate applications in problems related to the development of “smart-grid” power systems, as well as problems related to team decision-making. On the other hand, tools from optimization can lead to deep insights into the behavior of highly complex and non-linear dynamical system. Our research explores the following ideas:

  • how optimization theory emerges as tool for analyzing complex interconnected tools
  • optimization as a tool for solving distributed control and decision making problems
  • optimization for network identification and other graph properties
Design of optimal graphs Team extremum seeking Network identification

Related Publications:

  1. E. Michael, C. Manzie, T. A. Wood, D. Zelazo, and I. Shames, “Gradient Free Cooperative Seeking of a Moving Source,” Automatica, 152:110948, 2023.
    Michael2022a_J.pdf DOI: 10.1016/j.automatica.2023.110948
  2. M. Sharf, I. Romm, M. Palman, D. Zelazo, and B. Cukurel, “Economic Dispatch of a Single Micro-Gas Turbine Under CHP Operation with Uncertain Demands,” Applied Energy, 309:118391, 2022.
    Sharf2021b_J.pdf DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118391
  3. N. Peleg, “Economic Dispatch for a Network of Micro-Gas Turbines,” mastersthesis, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Aerospace Engineering Department, 2022.
    Peleg2022.pdf
  4. E. Michael, D. Zelazo, T. A. Wood, C. Manzie, and I. Shames, “Optimization with Networked Zeroth-Order Oracles,” in IEEE Conference on Decision and Control, Jeju Island, South Korea, Dec. 2020.
    Michael2020a.pdf DOI: 10.1109/CDC42340.2020.9304272
  5. M. Sharf, “Network Optimization Methods in Passivity-Based Cooperative Control,” phdthesis, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Aerospace Engineering Department, 2020.
    Sharf2020.pdf
  6. T. Ikeda, D. Zelazo, and K. Kashima, “Maximum Hands-Off Distributed Bearing-Based Formation Control,” in IEEE Conference on Decision and Control, Nice, France, Dec. 2019.
    Ikeda2019a.pdf DOI: 10.1109/cdc40024.2019.9029574
  7. M. Sharf and D. Zelazo, “Analysis and Synthesis of MIMO Multi-Agent Systems Using Network Optimization,” IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 64(11):1558–2523, 2019.
    Sharf2017b_J.pdf DOI: 10.1109/tac.2019.2908258
  8. M. Sharf and D. Zelazo, “Symmetry-Induced Clustering in Multi-Agent Systems using Network Optimization and Passivity,” in 27th Mediterranean Conference on Control and Automation, Akko, Israel, Jul. 2019.
    Sharf2019a.pdf Sharf2019a.slides DOI: 10.1109/med.2019.8798507
  9. A. Jain, M. Sharf, and D. Zelazo, “Regularization and Feedback Passivation in Cooperative Control of Passivity-Short Systems: A Network Optimization Perspective,” IEEE Control Systems Letters, 2(4):731–736, 2018.
    Jain2018a_J.pdf DOI: 10.1109/lcsys.2018.2847738
  10. J. F. Rist, M. F. Dias, M. Palman, D. Zelazo, and B. Cukurel, “Economic Dispatch of a Single Micro-Gas Turbine Under CHP Operation,” Applied Energy, 200:1–18, 2017.
    Rist2016_J.pdf DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.05.064
  11. M. Sharf and D. Zelazo, “A Network Optimization Approach to Cooperative Control Synthesis,” IEEE Control Systems Letters, 1(1):86–91, 2017.
    Sharf2017a_J.pdf DOI: 10.1109/lcsys.2017.2706948
  12. Y. Ben Shoushan and D. Zelazo, “Negotiation Between Dynamical Systems with Connectivity Constraints,” in 57th Israel Annual Conference on Aerospace Sciences , Tel-Aviv, Israel, Feb. 2017.
  13. M. Sharf and D. Zelazo, “On Certain Properties of Convex Functions,” Mar. 2017.
    arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1703.00867
  14. Y. Ben-Shoushan, “Negotiation between Dynamical Systems with Connectivity Constraints,” mastersthesis, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Aerospace Engineering Department, 2017.
    BenShoushan2017.pdf
  15. M. Bürger, D. Zelazo, and F. Allgöwer, “Hierarchical Clustering of Dynamical Networks Using a Saddle-Point Analysis,” IEEE Transactions on Automatic Control, 58(1):113–124, 2013.
    Burger2011_J.pdf DOI: 10.1109/TAC.2012.2206695
  16. M. Bürger, D. Zelazo, and F. Allgöwer, “On the Steady-State Inverse-Optimality of Passivity-Based Cooperative Control,” in 4th IFAC Workshop on Distributed Estimation and Control in Networked System, Koblenz, Germany, Sep. 2013.
    Mathias2013.pdf DOI: 10.3182/20130925-2-DE-4044.00004
  17. S. Schuler, D. Zelazo, and F. Allgöwer, “Robust Design of Sparse Relative Sensing Networks,” in European Control Conference, Zürich, Switzerland, Jul. 2013.
    Schuler2013.pdf Schuler2013.slides DOI: 10.23919/ecc.2013.6669618
  18. D. Zelazo, M. Bürger, and F. Allgöwer, “A Finite-Time Dual Method for Negotiation between Dynamical Systems,” SIAM Journal on Control and Optimization, 51(1):172–194, 2013.
    Zelazo2013_J.pdf DOI: 10.1137/100819175
  19. D. Zelazo, M. Bürger, and F. Allgöwer, “Dynamic Negotiation Under Switching Communication,” in Mathematical System Theory – Festschrift in Honor of Uwe Helmke on the Occasion of his Sixtieth Birthday, K. Hüper and J. Trumpf, Eds. CreateSpace, 2013, p. 479500.
    URL: http://users.cecs.anu.edu.au/ trumpf/UH60Festschrift.pdf
  20. M. Bürger, D. Zelazo, and F. Allgöwer, “Combinatorial Insights and Robustness Analysis for Clustering in Dynamic Networks,” in American Control Conference, Montreal, Canada, Jul. 2012.
    Burger2012.pdf DOI: 10.1109/acc.2012.6314935
  21. S. Schuler, D. Zelazo, and F. Allgöwer, “Design of sparse relative sensing networks,” in 51st IEEE Conference on Decision and Control, Maui, HI, Dec. 2012.
    Schuler2012.pdf DOI: 10.1109/CDC.2012.6426358
  22. D. Zelazo, R. Dai, and M. Mesbahi, “An energy management system for off-grid power systems,” Energy Systems, 3(2):153–179, 2012.
    Zelazo2011a_J.pdf DOI: 10.1007/s12667-012-0050-4
  23. D. Zelazo, S. Schuler, and F. Allgöwer, “Cycles and Sparse Design of Consensus Networks,” in 51st IEEE Conference on Decision and Control, Maui, HI, 2012.
    Zelazo2012d.pdf DOI: 10.1109/cdc.2012.6426450
  24. D. Zelazo, M. Bürger, and F. Allgöwer, “A Distributed Real-Time Algorithm for Preference-Based Agreement,” in Proc. 18th IFAC World Congress, Milan, Italy, Aug. 2011.
    Zelazo2011.pdf DOI: 10.3182/20110828-6-IT-1002.03155
  25. M. Bürger, D. Zelazo, and F. Allgöwer, “Network clustering: A dynamical systems and saddle-point perspective,” in 50th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control and European Control Conference, Orlando, FL, Dec. 2011.
    Zelazo2011b.pdf DOI: 10.1109/CDC.2011.6161045