Monotonicity properties for the viable control of discrete-time systems

This paper deals with the control of nonlinear systems in the presence of state and control constraints for discrete-time dynamics in finite-dimensional spaces. The viability kernel is known to play a basic role for the analysis of such problems and the design of viable control feedbacks. Unfortunately, this kernel may display very nonregular geometry and its computation is not an easy task in general. In the present paper, we show how monotonicity properties of both dynamics and constraints allow for relevant analytical upper and lower approximations of the viability kernel through weakly and strongly invariant sets. An example on fish harvesting management illustrates some of the assertions. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.