scholarly journals Denumerable state continuous time Markov decision processes with unbounded cost and transition rates under average criterion

2002 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 541-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianping Guo ◽  
Weiping Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Markov Decision Processes ◽  
Continuous Time ◽  
Decision Processes ◽  
Transition Rates ◽  
Birth And Death Processes ◽  
Optimality Equation ◽  
Average Criterion ◽  
Markov Decision ◽  
Unbounded Cost ◽  
Queue Model

AbstractIn this paper, we consider denumerable state continuous time Markov decision processes with (possibly unbounded) transition and cost rates under average criterion. We present a set of conditions and prove the existence of both average cost optimal stationary policies and a solution of the average optimality equation under the conditions. The results in this paper are applied to an admission control queue model and controlled birth and death processes.

Finite-horizon optimality for continuous-time Markov decision processes with unbounded transition rates

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 1064-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianping Guo ◽  
Xiangxiang Huang ◽  
Yonghui Huang
Keyword(s):  
Markov Decision Processes ◽  
Continuous Time ◽  
Value Function ◽  
Decision Processes ◽  
Finite Horizon ◽  
Transition Rates ◽  
Optimality Equation ◽  
Unbounded Transition Rates ◽  
Markov Decision ◽  
The Value Function

In this paper we focus on the finite-horizon optimality for denumerable continuous-time Markov decision processes, in which the transition and reward/cost rates are allowed to be unbounded, and the optimality is over the class of all randomized history-dependent policies. Under mild reasonable conditions, we first establish the existence of a solution to the finite-horizon optimality equation by designing a technique of approximations from the bounded transition rates to unbounded ones. Then we prove the existence of ε (≥ 0)-optimal Markov policies and verify that the value function is the unique solution to the optimality equation by establishing the analog of the Itô-Dynkin formula. Finally, we provide an example in which the transition rates and the value function are all unbounded and, thus, obtain solutions to some of the unsolved problems by Yushkevich (1978).

Finite-horizon optimality for continuous-time Markov decision processes with unbounded transition rates

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (04) ◽  
pp. 1064-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianping Guo ◽  
Xiangxiang Huang ◽  
Yonghui Huang
Keyword(s):  
Markov Decision Processes ◽  
Continuous Time ◽  
Value Function ◽  
Decision Processes ◽  
Finite Horizon ◽  
Transition Rates ◽  
Optimality Equation ◽  
Unbounded Transition Rates ◽  
Markov Decision ◽  
The Value Function

In this paper we focus on the finite-horizon optimality for denumerable continuous-time Markov decision processes, in which the transition and reward/cost rates are allowed to be unbounded, and the optimality is over the class of all randomized history-dependent policies. Under mild reasonable conditions, we first establish the existence of a solution to the finite-horizon optimality equation by designing a technique of approximations from the bounded transition rates to unbounded ones. Then we prove the existence of ε (≥ 0)-optimal Markov policies and verify that the value function is the unique solution to the optimality equation by establishing the analog of the Itô-Dynkin formula. Finally, we provide an example in which the transition rates and the value function are all unbounded and, thus, obtain solutions to some of the unsolved problems by Yushkevich (1978).

scholarly journals Impulsive Control for Continuous-Time Markov Decision Processes

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Dufour ◽  
Alexei B. Piunovskiy
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Control ◽  
Control Problem ◽  
Markov Decision Processes ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Continuous Time ◽  
Sufficient Conditions ◽  
Decision Processes ◽  
Optimal Control Strategy ◽  
Optimality Equation ◽  
Markov Decision

In this paper our objective is to study continuous-time Markov decision processes on a general Borel state space with both impulsive and continuous controls for the infinite time horizon discounted cost. The continuous-time controlled process is shown to be nonexplosive under appropriate hypotheses. The so-called Bellman equation associated to this control problem is studied. Sufficient conditions ensuring the existence and the uniqueness of a bounded measurable solution to this optimality equation are provided. Moreover, it is shown that the value function of the optimization problem under consideration satisfies this optimality equation. Sufficient conditions are also presented to ensure on the one hand the existence of an optimal control strategy, and on the other hand the existence of a ε-optimal control strategy. The decomposition of the state space into two disjoint subsets is exhibited where, roughly speaking, one should apply a gradual action or an impulsive action correspondingly to obtain an optimal or ε-optimal strategy. An interesting consequence of our previous results is as follows: the set of strategies that allow interventions at time t = 0 and only immediately after natural jumps is a sufficient set for the control problem under consideration.

scholarly journals Impulsive Control for Continuous-Time Markov Decision Processes

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (01) ◽  
pp. 106-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
François Dufour ◽  
Alexei B. Piunovskiy
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Control ◽  
Control Problem ◽  
Markov Decision Processes ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Continuous Time ◽  
Sufficient Conditions ◽  
Decision Processes ◽  
Optimal Control Strategy ◽  
Optimality Equation ◽  
Markov Decision

In this paper our objective is to study continuous-time Markov decision processes on a general Borel state space with both impulsive and continuous controls for the infinite time horizon discounted cost. The continuous-time controlled process is shown to be nonexplosive under appropriate hypotheses. The so-called Bellman equation associated to this control problem is studied. Sufficient conditions ensuring the existence and the uniqueness of a bounded measurable solution to this optimality equation are provided. Moreover, it is shown that the value function of the optimization problem under consideration satisfies this optimality equation. Sufficient conditions are also presented to ensure on the one hand the existence of an optimal control strategy, and on the other hand the existence of a ε-optimal control strategy. The decomposition of the state space into two disjoint subsets is exhibited where, roughly speaking, one should apply a gradual action or an impulsive action correspondingly to obtain an optimal or ε-optimal strategy. An interesting consequence of our previous results is as follows: the set of strategies that allow interventions at time t = 0 and only immediately after natural jumps is a sufficient set for the control problem under consideration.

Denumerable-state continuous-time Markov decision processes with unbounded transition and reward rates under the discounted criterion

2002 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianping Guo ◽  
Weiping Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Markov Decision Processes ◽  
Continuous Time ◽  
Decision Processes ◽  
Action Space ◽  
Birth And Death Processes ◽  
Markov Decision ◽  
General Action ◽  
Discounted Criterion

In this paper, we consider denumerable-state continuous-time Markov decision processes with (possibly unbounded) transition and reward rates and general action space under the discounted criterion. We provide a set of conditions weaker than those previously known and then prove the existence of optimal stationary policies within the class of all possibly randomized Markov policies. Moreover, the results in this paper are illustrated by considering the birth-and-death processes with controlled immigration in which the conditions in this paper are satisfied, whereas the earlier conditions fail to hold.

Denumerable-state continuous-time Markov decision processes with unbounded transition and reward rates under the discounted criterion

2002 ◽  
Vol 39 (02) ◽  
pp. 233-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianping Guo ◽  
Weiping Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Markov Decision Processes ◽  
Continuous Time ◽  
Decision Processes ◽  
Action Space ◽  
Birth And Death Processes ◽  
Markov Decision ◽  
General Action ◽  
Discounted Criterion

In this paper, we consider denumerable-state continuous-time Markov decision processes with (possibly unbounded) transition and reward rates and general action space under the discounted criterion. We provide a set of conditions weaker than those previously known and then prove the existence of optimal stationary policies within the class of all possibly randomized Markov policies. Moreover, the results in this paper are illustrated by considering the birth-and-death processes with controlled immigration in which the conditions in this paper are satisfied, whereas the earlier conditions fail to hold.

scholarly journals Policy Iteration for Continuous-Time Average Reward Markov Decision Processes in Polish Spaces

2009 ◽  
Vol 2009 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quanxin Zhu ◽  
Xinsong Yang ◽  
Chuangxia Huang
Keyword(s):  
Markov Decision Processes ◽  
Continuous Time ◽  
Policy Iteration ◽  
Decision Processes ◽  
Iteration Algorithm ◽  
Average Reward ◽  
Stationary Policy ◽  
Optimality Equation ◽  
Markov Decision ◽  
Average Reward Optimality

We study thepolicy iteration algorithm(PIA) for continuous-time jump Markov decision processes in general state and action spaces. The corresponding transition rates are allowed to beunbounded, and the reward rates may haveneither upper nor lower bounds. The criterion that we are concerned with isexpected average reward. We propose a set of conditions under which we first establish the average reward optimality equation and present the PIA. Then under twoslightlydifferent sets of conditions we show that the PIA yields the optimal (maximum) reward, an average optimal stationary policy, and a solution to the average reward optimality equation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document