Local observer design for periodic orbits. (Q1410914)

The author defines the observer design problem for periodic orbits of nonlinear systems and characterizes the exponential observers for Lyapunov orbitally stable nonlinear systems using geometric methods. This paper is organized as follows: In Sections 2 and 3, the author gives the basic definition for local exponential observers for periodic orbits of nonlinear systems and he characterizes local exponential observers for periodic orbits of unforced systems that are Lyapunov stable. In Section 4, the author establishes that the definition of local exponential observers can be weakened for neutrally stable periodic orbits. In the final Section 5, he considers a class of periodic orbits of nonlinear systems with inputs and establishes that for this class of periodic orbits, under some stability assumptions, the existence of local exponential observers in the presence of inputs implies, and is implied, by the existence of local exponential observers in the absence of inputs. This paper also gives two examples to illustrate a construction procedure for observers.