Primal-dual policy learning for mean-field stochastic LQR problem

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Jiang, Xiushan, Wang, Dong, Zhang, Weihai, Ho, Daniel W. C., Wu, Yuanqing
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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_version_ 1866917133926006784
author Jiang, Xiushan
Wang, Dong
Zhang, Weihai
Ho, Daniel W. C.
Wu, Yuanqing
author_facet Jiang, Xiushan
Wang, Dong
Zhang, Weihai
Ho, Daniel W. C.
Wu, Yuanqing
contents Integrating data-driven techniques with mechanism-driven insights has recently gained popularity as a powerful learning approach to solving traditional LQR problems for designing intelligent controllers in complex dynamic systems. However, the theoretical understanding of various reinforcement learning algorithms needs further exploration to enhance their efficiency and safety. In this article, by means of primal-dual optimization tools, we study the partially model-free design of the mean-field stochastic LQR (MF-SLQR) controller using a policy learning approach. Firstly, by designing appropriate optimizing variables, the considered MF-SLQR problem is transformed into a new static nonconvex constrained optimization problem with equivalence preserved in certain senses. After that, the equivalent formulation of the duality results is constructed via finding the solution of the generalized Lyapunov equation. Then, the strong duality is analyzed, based on which we establish a primal-dual algorithm by Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions. More importantly, a partially model-free implementation is also presented, which has a direct connection with the classical policy iteration algorithm. Finally, we use a high-dimensional example to validate our methods.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2512_08205
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Primal-dual policy learning for mean-field stochastic LQR problem
Jiang, Xiushan
Wang, Dong
Zhang, Weihai
Ho, Daniel W. C.
Wu, Yuanqing
Optimization and Control
Integrating data-driven techniques with mechanism-driven insights has recently gained popularity as a powerful learning approach to solving traditional LQR problems for designing intelligent controllers in complex dynamic systems. However, the theoretical understanding of various reinforcement learning algorithms needs further exploration to enhance their efficiency and safety. In this article, by means of primal-dual optimization tools, we study the partially model-free design of the mean-field stochastic LQR (MF-SLQR) controller using a policy learning approach. Firstly, by designing appropriate optimizing variables, the considered MF-SLQR problem is transformed into a new static nonconvex constrained optimization problem with equivalence preserved in certain senses. After that, the equivalent formulation of the duality results is constructed via finding the solution of the generalized Lyapunov equation. Then, the strong duality is analyzed, based on which we establish a primal-dual algorithm by Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions. More importantly, a partially model-free implementation is also presented, which has a direct connection with the classical policy iteration algorithm. Finally, we use a high-dimensional example to validate our methods.
title Primal-dual policy learning for mean-field stochastic LQR problem
topic Optimization and Control
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.08205