On the parametrization of conditioned invariant subspaces and observer theory (Q5946187)

The authors analyze the set of conditioned invariant subspaces of a given observable pair \((C,A)\). The authors do this analysis in two different ways, one based on polynomial models starting with a characterization obtained in [\textit{P. A. Fuhrmann}, Linear systems and operators in Hilbert space. New York: McGraw-Hill (1981; Zbl 0456.47001); IEEE Trans. Autom. Control 26, 284-295 (1981; Zbl 0459.93032)], the other being a state space approach. They single out an important subclass of conditioned invariant subspaces, namely the tight ones, which already made an appearance in [\textit{P. A. Fuhrmann} and \textit{U. Helmke}, Syst. Control Lett. 30, 217-223 (1997; Zbl 0901.93008)], a precursor of the reviewed paper. Of particular importance for the study of the parametrization of the set of conditioned invariant subspaces of an observable pair \((C,A)\) is the structural map that associates with any reachable pair, with only the input dimension constrained, a uniquely determined conditioned invariant subspace. The construction of this map uses polynomial models and the shift realization. New objects, the partial observability and reachability matrices are introduced. These are needed for the state space characterizations. Kernel and image representations for conditioned invariant subspaces are derived. The uniqueness of a kernel representation of a conditioned invariant subspace is shown to be equivalent to tightness. The authors pass on to an analysis and derivation of the Kronecker-Hermite canonical form for full column rank, rectangular polynomial matrices. This extends the work of \textit{A. E. Eckberg} [A characterization of linear systems via polynomial matrices and module theory, Ph. D. Thesis, MIT, Cambridge, MA, (1974), see also \textit{M. E. Warren} and \textit{A. E. Eckberg}, SIAM J. Control 13, 434-445 (1975; Zbl 0302.93008)], \textit{G. D. Forney} [SIAM J. Control 13, 493-520 (1975; Zbl 0297.93012)] and \textit{D. Hinrichsen, H. F. Münzner} and \textit{D. Prätzel-Wolters} [Syst. Control Lett. 1, 192-199 (1981; Zbl 0472.93023)]. The authors proceed to give a parametrization of such matrices. Based on this and utilizing insights from \textit{D. Hinrichsen} et al. [loc. cit.], they parametrize the set of conditioned invariant subspaces and relate this to image representations, making connections to the work of \textit{J. Ferrer}, \textit{F. Puerta} and \textit{X. Puerta} [Linear Algebra Appl. 275/276, 161-177 (1998; Zbl 0941.93013)]; Stratification of the set of general \((A,B)\)-invariant subspaces (1999)]. They add a new angle by being able to parametrize the set of all reachable pairs in a kernel representation, this via an embedding result for rectangular polynomial matrices in square ones. As a by-product, they redo observer theory in a unified way, giving a new insight into the connection to geometric control and to the stable partial realization problem.