On sampled-data models for nonlinear systems

Models for deterministic continuous-time nonlinear systems typically take the form of ordinary differential equations. To utilize these models in practice invariably requires discretization. In this paper, we show how an approximate sampled-data model can be obtained for deterministic nonlinear systems such that the local truncation error between the output of this model and the true system is of order Δ^r+1, where Δ is the sampling period and r is the system relative degree. The resulting model includes extra zero dynamics which have no counterpart in the underlying continuous-time system. The ideas presented here generalize well-known results for the linear case. We also explore the implications of these results in nonlinear system identification.