An efficient DP algorithm on a tree-structure for finite horizon optimal control problems

Abstract: The classical Dynamic Programming (DP) approach to optimal control problems is based on the characterization of the value function as the unique viscosity solution of a Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation. The DP scheme for the numerical approximation of viscosity solutions of Bellman equations is typically based on a time discretization which is projected on a fixed state-space grid. The time discretization can be done by a one-step scheme for the dynamics and the projection on the grid typically uses a local interpolation. Clearly the use of a grid is a limitation with respect to possible applications in high-dimensional problems due to the curse of dimensionality. Here, we present a new approach for finite horizon optimal control problems where the value function is computed using a DP algorithm on a tree structure algorithm (TSA) constructed by the time discrete dynamics. In this way there is no need to build a fixed space triangulation and to project on it. The tree will guarantee a perfect matching with the discrete dynamics and drop off the cost of the space interpolation allowing for the solution of very high-dimensional problems. Numerical tests will show the effectiveness of the proposed method.