Distributed Continuous-Time Control via System Level Synthesis

Abstract

This paper designs H2 and H-infinity distributed controllers with local communication and local disturbance rejection. We propose a two-step procedure: first, select closed-loop poles; then, optimize over parameterized controllers. We build on the system level synthesis (SLS) parameterization -- primarily used in the discrete-time setting -- and extend it to the general continuous-time setting. We verify our approach in simulation on a 9-node grid governed by linearized swing equations, where our distributed controllers achieve performance comparable to that of optimal centralized controllers while facilitating local disturbance rejection.

arXiv comment6 pages, to appear at ACC (American Control Conference) 2026