Generalized Gram matrix and its application to the observability problem for linear nonsteady systems (Q5951094)

Linear, continuous-time, finite-dimensional control systems are considered. Using a generalized Gram matrix, different types of observability are investigated. It is shown that the generalized Gram matrix is nondegenerate for the Chebyshev systems of functions. Moreover, necessary and sufficient conditions for complete observability and total observability in a given finite time interval are formulated and proved with the aid of the Gram matrix. Relations between different kinds of observability are also discussed and explained. In the proofs of the main results, methods of functional analysis are used. Moreover, the publication contains several remarks and comments on the observability problem for linear control systems. Similar problems can be found in many monographs [e.g., in \textit{J. Klamke}, Controllability of dynamical systems, Kluwer, Dordrecht (1991; Zbl 0732.93008)].