Ritt's algorithm, Gröbner basis and discretization (Q1381803)

The purpose of this paper is to obtain a discrete-time version of Fliess' generalized canonical observability form by the application of commutative and differential algebra. Two alternative methods are described. The first applies Ritt's algorithm to the set of polynomial differential equations describing the continuous-time nonlinear system. The resulting characteristic set contains a differential polynomial which describes the input-output behavior of the system. Discretizing this polynomial leads to a dicrete-time model. The second method first discretizes the continuous-time representation and then applies Buchberger's algorithm. This yields a Gröbner base which contains a polynomial difference equation describing the input-output behavior. Two examples of dynamical systems which are algebraically observable from the output complete the paper.