Nonnegative control of finite-dimensional linear systems (Q2226509)

In this paper the authors studied the controllability problem for finite-dimensional linear autonomous control systems with nonnegative controls. The unilateral nonnegativity control constraint may cause a positive minimal controllability time even the system satisfies the Kalman condition. In that case they proved that, if the matrix of the system has a real eigenvalue, then there is a minimal time control in the space of Radon measures, which consists of a finite sum of Dirac impulses. When all eigenvalues are real, this control is unique and the number of impulses is less than half the dimension of the space. Further the authors discussed on the control system corresponding to a finite-difference spatial discretization of the one-dimensional heat equation with Dirichlet boundary controls. Numerical simulations are provided to the theoretical results.