Relaxing Fundamental Assumptions in Iterative Learning Control

Abstract: Iterative learning control (ILC) is perhaps best described as an open loop feedforward control technique where the feedforward signal is learned through repetition of a single task. As the name suggests, given a dynamic system operating on a finite time horizon with the same desired trajectory, ILC aims to iteratively construct the inverse image (or its approximation) of the desired trajectory to improve transient tracking. In the literature, ILC is often interpreted as feedback control in the iteration domain due to the fact that learning controllers use information from past trials to drive the tracking error towards zero. However, despite the significant body of literature and powerful features, ILC is yet to reach widespread adoption by the control community, due to several assumptions that restrict its generality when compared to feedback control. In this dissertation, we relax some of these assumptions, mainly the fundamental invariance assumption, and move from the idea of learning through repetition to two dimensional systems, specifically repetitive processes, that appear in the modeling of engineering applications such as additive manufacturing, and sketch out future research directions for increased practicality.