Micro aerial vehicles and other autonomous systems have the potential to truly transform life as we know it, however much of the potential of autonomous systems remains unrealized because reliable navigation is still an unsolved problem with significant challenges. This dissertation presents solutions to many aspects of autonomous navigation. First, it presents ROSflight, a software and hardware architure that allows for rapid prototyping and experimentation of autonomy algorithms on MAVs with lightweight, efficient flight control. Next, this dissertation presents improvments to the state-of-the-art in optimal control of quadrotors by utilizing the error-state formulation frequently utilized in state estimation. It is shown that performing optimal control directly over the error-state results in a vastly more computationally efficient system than competing methods while also dealing with the non-vector rotation components of the state in a principled way. In addition, real-time robust flight planning is considered with a method to navigate cluttered, potentially unknown scenarios with real-time obstacle avoidance. Robust state estimation is a critical component to reliable operation, and this dissertation focuses on improving the robustness of visual-inertial state estimation in a filtering framework by extending the state-of-the-art to include better modeling and sensor fusion. Further, this dissertation takes concepts from the visual-inertial estimation community and applies it to tightly-coupled GNSS, visual-inertial state estimation. This method is shown to demonstrate significantly more reliable state estimation than visual-inertial or GNSS-inertial state estimation alone in a hardware experiment through a GNSS-GNSS denied transition flying under a building and back out into open sky. Finally, this dissertation explores a novel method to combine measurements from multiple agents into a coherent map. Traditional approaches to this problem attempt to solve for the position of multiple agents at specific times in their trajectories. This dissertation instead attempts to solve this problem in a relative context, resulting in a much more robust approach that is able to handle much greater intial error than traditional approaches.

D'une manière schématique, l'optimisation dynamique de procédés consiste en trois étapes de base : (i) la modélisation, dans laquelle un modèle (phénoménologique) du procédé est construit, (ii) la formulation du problème, dans laquelle le critère de performance, les contraintes et les variables de décision sont définis, (iii) et la résolution, dans laquelle les profils optimaux des variables de décision sont déterminés. Il est important de souligner que ces profils optimaux garantissent l'optimalité pour le modèle mathématique utilisé. Lorsqu'ils sont appliqués au procédé, ces profils ne sont optimaux que lorsque le modèle décrit parfaitement le comportement du procédé, ce qui est très rarement le cas dans la pratique. En effet, les incertitudes sur les paramètres du modèle, les perturbations du procédé, et les erreurs structurelles du modèle font que les profils optimaux des variables de décision basés sur le modèle ne seront probablement pas optimaux pour le procédé. L'application de ces profils au procédé conduit généralement à la violation de certaines contraintes et/ou à des performances sous-optimales. Pour faire face à ces problèmes, l'optimisation dynamique en temps-réel constitue une approche tout à fait intéressante. L'idée générale de cette approche est d'utiliser les mesures expérimentales associées au modèle du procédé pour améliorer les profils des variables de décision de sorte que les conditions d'optimalité soient vérifiées sur le procédé (maximisation des performances et satisfaction des contraintes). En effet, pour un problème d'optimisation sous contraintes, les conditions d'optimalité possèdent deux parties : la faisabilité et la sensibilité. Ces deux parties nécessitent différents types de mesures expérimentales, à savoir les valeurs du critère et des contraintes, et les gradients du critère et des contraintes par rapport aux variables de décision. L'objectif de cette thèse est de développer une stratégie conceptuelle d'utilisation de ces mesures expérimentales en ligne de sorte que le procédé vérifie non seulement les conditions nécessaires, mais également les conditions suffisantes d'optimalité. Ce développement conceptuel va notamment s'appuyer sur les récents progrès en optimisation déterministe (les méthodes stochastiques ne seront pas abordées dans ce travail) de procédés basés principalement sur l'estimation des variables d'état non mesurées à l'aide d'un observateur à horizon glissant. Une méthodologie d'optimisation dynamique en temps réel (D-RTO) a été développée et appliquée à un réacteur batch dans lequel une réaction de polymérisation par greffage a lieu. L'objectif est de déterminer le profil temporel de température du réacteur qui minimise le temps opératoire tout en respectant des contraintes terminales sur le taux de conversion et l'efficacité de greffage / In a schematic way, process optimization consists of three basic steps: (i) modeling, in which a (phenomenological) model of the process is developed, (ii) problem formulation, in which the criterion of Performance, constraints and decision variables are defined, (iii) the resolution of the optimal problem, in which the optimal profiles of the decision variables are determined. It is important to emphasize that these optimal profiles guarantee the optimality for the model used. When applied to the process, these profiles are optimal only when the model perfectly describes the behavior of the process, which is very rarely the case in practice. Indeed, uncertainties about model parameters, process disturbances, and structural model errors mean that the optimal profiles of the model-based decision variables will probably not be optimal for the process. The objective of this thesis is to develop a conceptual strategy for using experimental measurements online so that the process not only satisfies the necessary conditions, but also the optimal conditions. This conceptual development will in particular be based on recent advances in deterministic optimization (the stochastic methods will not be dealt with in this work) of processes based on the estimation of the state variables that are not measured by a moving horizon observer. A dynamic real-time optimization (D-RTO) methodology has been developed and applied to a batch reactor where polymer grafting reactions take place. The objective is to determine the on-line reactor temperature profile that minimizes the batch time while meeting terminal constraints on the overall conversion rate and grafting efficiency

Cette thèse contribue à répondre au problème de la gestion optimale des ressources en eau dans les réseaux de navigation intérieure du point de vue de la théorie du contrôle. Les objectifs principales à atteindre consistent à garantir la navigabilité des réseaux de voies navigables, veiller à la réduction des coûts opérationnels et à la longue durée de vie des équipements. Lors de la conception de lois de contrôle, les caractéristiques des réseaux doivent être prises en compte, à savoir leurs dynamiques complexes, des retards variables et l’absence de pente. Afin de réaliser la gestion optimale, le contrôle efficace des structures hydrauliques doit être assuré. A cette fin, une approche de modélisation orientée contrôle est dérivée. Cependant, la formulation obtenue appartient à la classe des systèmes de descripteurs retardés, pour lesquels la commande prédictive MPC et l’estimation d’état sur horizon glissant MHE peuvent être facilement adaptés à cette formulation, tout en permettant de gérer les contraintes physiques et opérationnelles de manière naturelle. En raison de leur grande dimensionnalité, une mise en œuvre centralisée n’est souvent ni possible ni souhaitable. Compte tenu du fait que les réseaux de navigation intérieure sont des systèmes fortement couplés, une approche distribuée est proposée, incluant un protocole de communication entre agents. Malgré l’optimalité des solutions, toute erreur peut entraîner une gestion inefficace du système. Par conséquent, les dernières contributions de la thèse concernent la conception de stratégies de supervision permettant de détecter et d’isoler les pannes des équipements. Toutes les approches présentées sont appliquées à une étude de cas réaliste basée sur le réseau de voies navigables du nord e la France afin de valider leur efficacité. / This thesis addresses the problem of optimal management of water resources in inland navigation networks from a control theory perspective. The main objectives to be attained consist in guaranteeing the navigability condition of the network, minimizing the operational cost and ensuring a long lifespan of the equipment. However, their complex dynamics, large time delays and negligible bottom slopes complicate their management. In order to achieve the optimal management, the efficient control of the hydraulic structures must be ensured. To this end, a control-oriented modeling approach is derived. The resulting formulation belongs to the class of delayed desciptor systems, for which model predictive control and moving horizon estimation can be easily adapted, as well as being able to deal with physical and operational constraints in a natural manner. However, a centralized implementation is often neither possible nor desirable. As these networks are strongly coupled systems, a distributed approach is followed, featuring a communication protocol among agents. Despite the optimality of the solutions, any malfunction can lead to an inefficient system management. Therefore, the last part of the thesis regards the design of supervisory strategies that allow to detect and isolate faults. All the presented approaches are applied to a realistic case study based on the inland navigation network in the north of France to validate their effectiveness.

<p>To apply Industry 4.0 technologies and accelerate the modernization of continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing, digital twin (DT) and advanced process control (APC) strategies are indispensable. The DT serves as a virtual representation that mirrors the behavior of the physical process system, enabling real-time monitoring and predictive capabilities. Consequently, this facilitates the feasibility of real-time release testing (RTRT) and enhances drug product development and manufacturing efficiency by reducing the need for extensive sampling and testing. Moreover, APC strategies are required to address variations in raw material properties and process uncertainties while ensuring that desired critical quality attributes (CQAs) of in-process materials and final products are maintained. When deviations from quality targets are detected, APC must provide optimal real-time corrective actions, offering better control performance than the traditional open loop-control method. The progress in DT and APC is beneficial in shifting from the paradigm of Quality-by-Test (QbT) to that of Quality-by-Design (QbD) and Quality-by-Control (QbC), which emphasize the importance of process knowledge and real-time information to ensure product quality.</p> <p><br></p> <p>This study focuses on four key elements and their applications in a continuous dry granulation tableting process, including feeding, blending, roll compaction, ribbon milling and tableting unit operations. Firstly, the necessity of a digital infrastructure for data collection and integration is emphasized. An ISA-95-based hierarchical automation framework is implemented for continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing, with each level serving specific purposes related to production, sensing, process control, manufacturing operations, and business planning. Secondly, investigation of process analytical technology (PAT) tools for real-time measurements is highlighted as a prerequisite for effective real-time process management. For instance, the measurement of mass flow rate, a critical process parameter (CPP) in continuous manufacturing, was previously limited to loss-in-weight (LIW) feeders. To overcome this limitation, a novel capacitance-based mass flow sensor, the ECVT sensor, has been integrated into the continuous direct compaction process to capture real-time powder flow rates downstream of the LIW feeders. Additionally, the use of near-infrared (NIR)-based sensor for real-time measurement of ribbon solid fraction in dry granulation processes is explored. Proper spectra selection and pre-processing techniques are employed to transform the spectra into useful real-time information. Thirdly, the development of quantitative models that establish a link between CPPs and CQAs is addressed, enabling effective product design and process control. Mechanistic models and hybrid models are employed to describe the continuous direct compaction (DC) and dry granulation (DG) processes. Finally, applying APC strategies becomes feasible with the aid of real-time measurements and model predictions. Real-time optimization techniques are used to combine measurements and model predictions to infer unmeasured states or mitigate the impact of measurement noise. In this work, the moving horizon estimation-based nonlinear model predictive control (MHE-NMPC) framework is utilized. It leverages the capabilities of MHE for parameter updates and state estimation to enable adaptive models using data from the past time window. Simultaneously, NMPC ensures satisfactory setpoint tracking and disturbance rejection by minimizing the error between the model predictions and setpoint in the future time window. The MHE-NMPC framework has been implemented in the tableting process and demonstrated satisfactory control performance even when plant model mismatch exists. In addition, the application of MHE enables the sensor fusion framework, where at-line measurements and online measurements can be integrated if the past time window length is sufficient. The sensor fusion framework proves to be beneficial in extending the at-line measurement application from just validation to real-time decision-making.</p>