A Parallel in Time Algorithm Based on ParaExp for Optimal Control Problems

Abstract: We propose a new parallel-in-time algorithm for solving optimal control problems constrained by discretized partial differential equations. Our approach, which is based on a deeper understanding of ParaExp, considers an overlapping time-domain decomposition in which we combine the solution of homogeneous problems using exponential propagation with the local solutions of inhomogeneous problems. The algorithm yields a linear system whose matrix-vector product can be fully performed in parallel. We then propose a preconditioner to speed up the convergence of GMRES in the special cases of the heat and wave equations. Numerical experiments are provided to illustrate the efficiency of our preconditioners.