Decentralized linear–quadratic–Gaussian control of networked control systems with asymmetric information

The decentralized linear–quadratic–Gaussian (LQG) control problem for networked control systems (NCSs) with asymmetric information is investigated, where controller 1 shares its historical information with controller 2, and not vice versa. The asymmetry of the information structure leads to the coupling between controller 2 and estimator 1, and hence the classical separation principle fails. Through the assumption of linear control strategy, the coupling between controller 2 and estimator 1 (CCE) is decoupled, but the estimation gain is still coupled with the control gain. It is noted that the control gain conforms to the backward Riccati equation while estimation gain abides by the forward equation, which is computationally challenging. Applying the stochastic maximum principle, the solvability of the decentralized LQG control problem is reduced to that of corresponding forward and backward stochastic difference equations (FBSDEs). Further, necessary and sufficient conditions for the solvability of optimal control problem are presented by two Riccati equations, one of which is nonsymmetric. Moreover, a novel iterative forward method is proposed to calculate the coupled backward control gain and forward estimation gain.