A review of time-delay estimation techniques

This paper reviews and evaluates suggested methods for estimating the time-delay of linear systems in automatic control applications. A classification of the methods according to the underlying principles is suggested. The evaluation, done by analyzing the estimates of the methods from extensive simulated data in open loop, shows that different classes of methods have different properties and are suitable in different cases. Some method are clearly inferior to others. Recommendations are given on how to choose estimation method and input signal.