Linear system identification using numerical computation of Laplace transforms

A method for system identification using sampled values of the initial transient step or impulse response is described. A polynomial fit of the sampled values is made using Lagrange interpolation and the Laplace transform of the output observed is determined. Then the coefficients of the numerator and denominator polynomials of the system transfer function are determined by minimizing the square of the difference between the observed and calculated values of the Laplace transform of the output variable at a number of discrete points. This process is considerably simplified by the use of tables of coefficients for the numerical calculation of Laplace transforms.