Identification of spatially interconnected systems

This paper presents a method for the identification of spatially interconnected system in rational form, using input-output data. Unlike previously proposed approaches, this method does not rely on a separability condition. The motivation for this approach is to identify a spatially interconnected model in Roesser form for which efficient control synthesis approaches have been recently proposed. The algorithm explicitly takes into consideration boundary conditions, which makes it suitable for boundary value problems such as conduction of heat through metal or vibration in fixed, simply supported or cantilever beams. The approach is illustrated by applying it to a beam element with various boundary conditions. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated by a controller synthesis based on the identified model.