A Novel Method for Optimal Sensor and Actuator ‎Placements: The “Infinite Value Algorithm”‎

Cyber-physical systems rely heavily on the functionality of sensors and actuators to operate effectively. Sensors transfer measurements from the physical part to the control and cyber part and while actuators that play the role of applying control signals to the physical part. The placement of sensors and actuators is an important issue for ensuring system’s observability and controllability. This placement should be done in way that the system remains controllable and observable with fewest number of sensors and actuators.. Minimizing the number of sensors and actuators has a significant effect on cost and energy reduction. In this study, a new approach is introduced based on the existing paths and non-existent paths between the states of a system. In the proposed approach, the non-existent paths are defined as infinite paths. The best nodes are selected as the location of sensors and actuators based on the infinite paths and their numbers. The numerical simulations illustrate that the Infinite Value Algorithm has performed better in the placements in this way that it has consumed the unique solution in less time compared the Genetic Algorithms.