Subspace identification of bilinear systems using a dedicated input sequence

A novel identification scheme for bilinear systems is proposed. Piecewise constant input sequences are used to overcome the curse of dimensionality of traditional bilinear subspace identification methods. This dedicated input sequence allows for the identification of stationary input models using traditional subspace identification techniques. Inherent to sub-space identification these models are identified in a different state basis. A common state basis can be found by setting up an intersection problem combined with a number of linear relations. The solution of this linear problem can be used to estimate the system matrices. The working of the algorithm is illustrated with a simulation example.