Optimal boundary displacement control at one end of a string with a medium exerting resistance at the other end (Q2251774)

The authors consider an optimal boundary control problem which is constructed in closed analytic form. The differential equation for a one-dimensional elastic vibrating string is stated, along with initial and boundary conditions. A string displacement control is applied on the left end and a dynamic boundary condition, which includes an arbitrary parameter, is applied on the right end. Initial and terminal states of the string, uniquely determined by their displacement and velocity, are also provided. The authors consider a control minimizing the applied energy to obtain optimal boundary control. They construct a generalized solution in a Sobolev space and prove existence and uniqueness theorems.