Feedback Control and the Arrow of Time

TL;DR

This paper explores how the inherent time asymmetry in stability influences feedback control, impacting modeling, regulation, and the relationship between control theory and physical arrows of time.

Contribution

It introduces a new perspective on the role of time asymmetry in control theory and its implications for modeling uncertainty and robustness.

Findings

Time asymmetry affects control and modeling of uncertainty.

Control ease depends on the direction of time.

Links between control time-arrow and physical arrows of time.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the central role that the time asymmetry of stability plays in feedback control. We show that this provides a new perspective on the use of doubly-infinite or semi-infinite time axes for signal spaces in control theory. We then focus on the implication of this time asymmetry in modeling uncertainty, regulation and robust control. We point out that modeling uncertainty and the ease of control depend critically on the direction of time. We also discuss the relationship of this control-based time-arrow with the well known arrows of time in physics.