A new information-weighted recursive algorithm for time-varying systems: application to UAV system identification

This paper presents a new recursive identification method which can efficiently estimate time-varying parameters in discrete time systems and has significant advantages over standard recursive least-squares (RLS) method. This new information-weighted recursive algorithm for time-varying systems has three novel features, discounting of inaccurate estimates through weighting by the Information matrix, using the reuse of past data in computing current parameter estimates, a new tuneable damping factor parameter and a precisely designed compensation term to neutralise the estimation error caused by time-varying coefficients. A rigorous proof of convergence is also provided. Simulations show that the new algorithm significantly outperforms standard RLS, exhibiting better tracking performance and faster convergence. Flight tests on a T-REX 800 helicopter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle platform show that it gives system parameter estimates that are accurate enough and converge quickly enough that flight controllers can be designed in real-time based on the online identified model.