An optimal production flow control problem with impulsive demand (Q1381747)

Let the state \(x\) be the cumulative difference between the production input and the known demand modeled by a set of impulses over a finite time horizon for a reliable single machine cell with finite capacity. Pontryagin's extremum principle is applied for a quadratic cost in the state. For a single demand, using the continuity of the adjoint variable (the impulse affects directly the state not the adjoint variable), and enough control to satisfy the demand, switching formulas which set on the machine at maximal rate or set it off are derived. For multiple demands, a procedure for merging overlapping time intervals where the machines are on, is indicated. The procedure is modified so that the boundary conditions are satisfied.