Distributed fault detection and isolation of large-scale nonlinear systems: an adaptive approximation approach

The present thesis work has been submitted to the Department of Electrical,Electronic and Computer Engineering of the University of Trieste, in partialfulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy inInformation Engineering. The work has been supported by a grant financedby Danieli Automation S.p.A, whose subject was “Numerical Modeling inthe Steel–making Industry”.The thesis work deals with the problem of fault diagnosis for distributedsystems. Fault diagnosis is a key requirement in the design of modern and re-liable systems. While the fault diagnosis problem has been extensively stud-ied for centralized systems, and for some class of distributed systems suchas multi–processor systems, a lack of research is apparent when looking forresults about the fault diagnosis of distributed discrete and continuous–timesystems. The objective of the present work is to fill this gap, by applyinga divide et impera paradigm to actual fault diagnosis schemes in order tomake the problem of fault diagnosis for distributed systems tractable, andthe corresponding solutions robust and reliable themselves.I wish here to profoundly thank my advisor, prof. Thomas Parisini, thatsupported and guided me with painstaking patience and efforts since mymaster’s degree. He was a mentor, and a great friend during the last, in-tense years. He helped me avoid the pitfalls of research, and continuouslymotivated me in order to reach my objectives. Another expression of mygratitude is directed to my co–advisor, prof. Marios M. Polycarpou, whoseexperience and analytical skillfulness was invaluable during the developmentof all the theory providing the foundations for my work. His care and endur-ing support made my stay as a visiting student at the University of Cyprusa most profitable, and unforgettable experience.My deep thankfulness goes also to Danieli Automation S.p.A., that madethis research possible, and in particular to all the people of the R&D labora-tory with whom I worked side by side during these years, on many practicalproblems too. If I ever developed an experimental attitude, it is thank tothe countless hours I was allowed to spend in that laboratory, and thank tothe skilled advice I was always given.Iwant also to acknowledge the contribution of prof. Marcel Staroswiecky,with whom I had many fruitful discussions during a short stay at the Ecolevii