New results in realization theory for linear time-varying analytic systems

The realization of linear time-varying systems specified by an analytic weighting pattern is approached in a novel manner using an algebraic framework defined over the ring of analytic functions. Realizations are given by a state representation consisting of a first-order vector differential equation and an output equation, both with analytic coefficients. Various new criteria for realizability are derived, including conditions given in terms of the finiteness of modules over the ring of analytic functions generated by the elementary rows or columns of a (generalized) Hankel matrix. These results are related to local criteria for realizability specified in terms of the rank of matrix functions, as developed in the work of Silverman and Meadows [5], [8], [9] and Kalman [7]. It is shown that the construction of minimal realizations reduces to the problem of computing a basis for a finite free module defined over the ring of analytic functions. A minimal realization algorithm is then derived using a constructive procedure for computing bases for finite free modules over a Bezout domain. The Silverman-Meadows realization algorithm [5] is a special case of the procedure given here. In the last part of the paper, the realization algorithm is applied to the problem of system reduction.