Stable rational approximation in the context of interpolation and convex optimization

A quite comprehensive theory of analytic interpolation with degree constraint, dealing with rational interpolants with an a priori bound, has been developed in recent years. In this paper we consider the limit case when this bound is removed, and only stable interpolants with a prescribed maximum degree are sought. This leads to weighted H ₂ minimization, where the interpolants are parameterized by the weights. The inverse problem of determining the weight and the interpolation points given a desired interpolant profile is considered, and a rational approximation procedure based on the theory is proposed. This provides a tool for tuning the solution to specifications. The basic idea could also be applied to the case with bounded interpolants.