Robust observer design for Lipschitz nonlinear systems with parametric uncertainty

This paper discusses optimal and robust observer design for the Lipschitz nonlinear systems. The stability analysis for the Lure problem is first reviewed. Then, a two-DOF nonlinear observer is proposed so that the observer error dynamic model can be transformed to an equivalent Lure system. In this framework, the difference of the nonlinear parts in the vector fields of the original system and observer is modeled as a nonlinear memoryless block that is covered by a multivariable sector condition or an equivalent semi-algebraic set defined by a quadratic polynomial inequality. Then, a sufficient condition for asymptotic stability of the observer error dynamics is formulated in terms of the feasibility of polynomial matrix inequalities (PMIs), which can be solved by Lasserre's moment relaxation. Furthermore, various quadratic performance criteria, such as H₂ and H_∞, can be easily incorporated in this framework. Finally, a parameter adaptation algorithm is introduced to cope with the parameter uncertainty.