Consensus-based joint target tracking and sensor localization

In this paper, consensus-based Kalman filtering is extended to deal with the problem of joint target tracking and sensor self-localization in a distributed wireless sensor network. The average weighted Kullback-Leibler divergence, which is a function of the unknown drift parameters, is employed as the cost to measure the discrepancy between the fused posterior distribution and the local distribution at each sensor. Further, a reasonable approximation of the cost is proposed and an online technique is introduced to minimize the approximated cost function with respect to the drift parameters stored in each node. The remarkable features of the proposed algorithm are that it needs no additional data exchanges, slightly increased memory space and computational load comparable to the standard consensus-based Kalman filter. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated through simulation experiments on both a tree network and a network with cycles as well as for both linear and nonlinear sensors

Moving horizon estimation for discrete-time linear systems with binary sensors: algorithms and stability results

The paper addresses state estimation for linear discrete-time systems with binary (threshold) measurements. A Moving Horizon Estimation (MHE) approach is followed and different estimators, characterized by two different choices of the cost function to be minimized and/or by the possible inclusion of constraints, are proposed. Specifically, the cost function is either quadratic, when only the information pertaining to the threshold-crossing instants is exploited, or piece-wise quadratic, when all the available binary measurements are taken into account. Stability results are provided for the proposed MHE algorithms in the presence of unknown but bounded disturbances and measurement noises. Performance of the proposed techniques is also assessed by means of a simulation example.Comment: 20 pages, 8 figures; references added, typos corrected, and numerical results extende

Generating directed networks with prescribed Laplacian spectra

Complex real-world phenomena are often modeled as dynamical systems on networks. In many cases of interest, the spectrum of the underlying graph Laplacian sets the system stability and ultimately shapes the matter or information flow. This motivates devising suitable strategies, with rigorous mathematical foundation, to generate Laplacian that possess prescribed spectra. In this paper, we show that a weighted Laplacians can be constructed so as to exactly realize a desired complex spectrum. The method configures as a non trivial generalization of existing recipes which assume the spectra to be real. Applications of the proposed technique to (i) a network of Stuart-Landau oscillators and (ii) to the Kuramoto model are discussed. Synchronization can be enforced by assuming a properly engineered, signed and weighted, adjacency matrix to rule the pattern of pairing interactions

Spectral control for ecological stability

A system made up of N interacting species is considered. Self-reaction terms are assumed of the logistic type. Pairwise interactions take place among species according to different modalities, thus yielding a complex asymmetric disordered graph. A mathematical procedure is introduced and tested to stabilise the ecosystem via an {\it ad hoc} rewiring of the underlying couplings. The method implements minimal modifications to the spectrum of the Jacobian matrix which sets the stability of the fixed point and traces these changes back to species-species interactions. Resilience of the equilibrium state appear to be favoured by predator-prey interactions

Global topological control for synchronized dynamics on networks

A general scheme is proposed and tested to control the symmetry breaking instability of a homogeneous solution of a spatially extended multispecies model, defined on a network. The inherent discreteness of the space makes it possible to act on the topology of the inter-nodes contacts to achieve the desired degree of stabilization, without altering the dynamical parameters of the model. Both symmetric and asymmetric couplings are considered. In this latter setting the web of contacts is assumed to be balanced, for the homogeneous equilibrium to exist. The performance of the proposed method are assessed, assuming the Complex Ginzburg-Landau equation as a reference model. In this case, the implemented control allows one to stabilize the synchronous limit cycle, hence time-dependent, uniform solution. A system of coupled real Ginzburg-Landau equations is also investigated to obtain the topological stabilization of a homogeneous and constant fixed point

Offset-free receding horizon control of constrained linear systems

The design of a dynamic state feedback receding horizon controller is addressed, which guarantees robust constraint satisfaction, robust stability and offset-firee control of constrained linear systems in the presence of time-varying setpoints and unmeasured disturbances. This objective is obtained by first designing a dynamic linear offset-free controller and computing an appropriate domain of attraction for this controller. The linear (unconstrained) controller is then modified by adding a perturbation term, which is computed by a (constrained) robust receding horizon controller. The receding horizon controller has the property that its domain of attraction contains that of the linear controller. In order to ensure robust constraint satisfaction, in addition to offset-free control, the transient, as well as the limiting behavior of the disturbance and setpoint need to be taken into account in the design of the receding horizon controller. The fundamental difference between the results and the existing literature on receding horizon control is that the transient effect of the disturbance and set point sequences on the so-called "target calculator" is explicitly incorporated in the formulation of the receding horizon controller. An example of the control of a continuous stirred-tank reactor is presented. (c) 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers