Singularity Computation for Iterative Control of Nonlinear Affine Systems

This paper considers a gradient type of iterative algorithm applied to the open loop control for nonlinear affine systems. The convergence of the algorithm relies on the control signal in each iteration be nonsingular. We present an algorithm for computing the singular control for a general class of nonlinear affine systems. Various nonlinear mechanical systems, including nonholonomic systems, are included as examples.