Active Mode Estimation for Switching Systems

Switching systems are a particular class of hybrid systems. They are described by several operating regimes, called modes, each of them being active under certain particular conditions. When the switching mechanism is perfectly known, it is easy to handle such systems because the knowledge of the active regime at any moment is available. On the other hand, in the case where there is no information about the switching mechanism, the situation is more complicated. In this configuration, it is difficult to carry out a fault diagnosis scheme or to synthesize a control law. This paper addresses the issue of the determination of the active mode at any moment, using only the system´s input/output data. Conditions that guarantee the uniqueness of the determined active mode are also given.