Robust Fault Reconstruction in Discrete-Time Lipschitz Nonlinear Systems via Euler-Approximate Proportional Integral Observers

The problem of observer-based robust fault reconstruction for a class of nonlinear sampled-data systems is investigated. A discrete-time Lipschitz nonlinear system is first established, and its Euler-approximate model is described; then, an Euler-approximate proportional integral observer (EPIO) is constructed such that simultaneous reconstruction of system states and actuator faults are guaranteed. The presented EPIO possesses the disturbance-decoupling ability because its architecture is similar to that of a nonlinear unknown input observer. The robust stability of the EPIO and convergence of fault-reconstructing errors are proved using Lyapunov stability theory together with techniques. The design of the EPIO is reformulated into convex optimization problem involving linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) such that its gain matrices can be conveniently calculated using standard LMI tools. In addition, to guarantee the implementation of the EPIO on the exact model, sufficient conditions of its semiglobal practical convergence are provided explicitly. Finally, a single-link flexible robot is employed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed fault-reconstructing method.