On observer design for a class of continuous-time affine switched or switching systems

The main goal of this paper is to design a state observer for a class of affine switched or switching dynamical systems, without requiring the knowledge of the switching signal. To reach such a goal some tools, taken from Algebraic Geometry, are used to express the switching signal as a function of the output and its time derivatives. Then, similar tools are used to design an observer to estimate both the switching signal and the state of the system. A physically motivated example of application is reported.