On a characteristic vector field for systems reducible to order two

Authors:	Rudolph Joachim, TU Dresden, Germany Lehenkyi Victor, Nat. Acad. Sci., Ukraine
Topic:	2.3 Non-Linear Control Systems
Session:	Feedback Linearization
Keywords:	Controllability, differential geometry, feedback linearization, nonlinear systems, optimal control, transformations

Abstract

The paper deals with nonlinear control systems with a single input that can be reduced to second order systems. An intrinsic definition of a characteristic vector field called characteristic prolongation is given. Its role in several control theoretic problems, such as controllability, feedback linearization (flatness characterization), group classification, and optimal control is discussed. A batch chemical reactor example is considered.