An LMI approach for designing sliding mode observers for fault detection and isolation

This paper considers the use of sliding mode observers for fault detection/disturbance estimation. A new observer design method is considered which is based on Linear Matrix Inequality (LMI) optimisation. Sliding mode observers have previously been used for fault detection and disturbance estimation; however the systems for which they have been designed were of low dynamical order. The LMI approach considered here allows these ideas to be exploited on more realistic higher order systems. The efficacy of the approach is demonstrated by considering a model of a chemical process plant.