The quadratic regulator problem and the Riccati equation for a process governed by a linear Volterra integrodifferential equations

Abstract: In this paper we study the quadratic regulator problem for a process governed by a Volterra integral equation in ${\mathbb R}^n$. Our main goal is the proof that it is possible to associate a Riccati differential equation to this quadratic control problem, which leads to the feedback form of the optimal control. This is in contrast with previous papers on the subject, which confine themselves to study the Fredholm integral equation which is solved by the optimal control.