A new approach to distributed fusion filtering for networked systems with random parameter matrices and correlated noises

This paper is concerned with the distributed filtering problem for a class of discrete-time stochastic systems over a sensor network with a given topology. The system presents the following main features: (i) random parameter matrices in both the state and observation equations are considered; and (ii) the process and measurement noises are one-step autocorrelated and two-step cross-correlated. The state estimation is performed in two stages. At the first stage, through an innovation approach, intermediate distributed least-squares linear filtering estimators are obtained at each sensor node by processing available output measurements not only from the sensor itself but also from its neighboring sensors according to the network topology. At the second stage, noting that at each sampling time not only the measurement but also an intermediate estimator is available at each sensor, attention is focused on the design of distributed filtering estimators as the least-squares matrix-weighted linear combination of the intermediate estimators within its neighborhood. The accuracy of both intermediate and distributed estimators, which is measured by the error covariance matrices, is examined by a numerical simulation example where a four-sensor network is considered. The example illustrates the applicability of the proposed results to a linear networked system with state-dependent multiplicative noise and different network-induced stochastic uncertainties in the measurements; more specifically, sensor gain degradation, missing measurements and multiplicative observation noises are considered as particular cases of the proposed observation model.This research is supported by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional FEDER (grant no. MTM2014- 52291-P, MTM2017-84199-P)

Fusion Estimation from Multisensor Observations with Multiplicative Noises and Correlated Random Delays in Transmission

In this paper, the information fusion estimation problem is investigated for a class of multisensor linear systems affected by different kinds of stochastic uncertainties, using both the distributed and the centralized fusion methodologies. It is assumed that the measured outputs are perturbed by one-step autocorrelated and cross-correlated additive noises, and also stochastic uncertainties caused by multiplicative noises and randomly missing measurements in the sensor outputs are considered. At each sampling time, every sensor output is sent to a local processor and, due to some kind of transmission failures, one-step correlated random delays may occur. Using only covariance information, without requiring the evolution model of the signal process, a local least-squares (LS) filter based on the measurements received from each sensor is designed by an innovation approach. All these local filters are then fused to generate an optimal distributed fusion filter by a matrix-weighted linear combination, using the LS optimality criterion. Moreover, a recursive algorithm for the centralized fusion filter is also proposed and the accuracy of the proposed estimators, which is measured by the estimation error covariances, is analyzed by a simulation example.This research is supported by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional FEDER (grant No. MTM2014-52291-P)

Networked Fusion Filtering from Outputs with Stochastic Uncertainties and Correlated Random Transmission Delays

This paper is concerned with the distributed and centralized fusion filtering problems in sensor networked systems with random one-step delays in transmissions. The delays are described by Bernoulli variables correlated at consecutive sampling times, with different characteristics at each sensor. The measured outputs are subject to uncertainties modeled by random parameter matrices, thus providing a unified framework to describe a wide variety of network-induced phenomena; moreover, the additive noises are assumed to be one-step autocorrelated and cross-correlated. Under these conditions, without requiring the knowledge of the signal evolution model, but using only the first and second order moments of the processes involved in the observation model, recursive algorithms for the optimal linear distributed and centralized filters under the least-squares criterion are derived by an innovation approach. Firstly, local estimators based on the measurements received from each sensor are obtained and, after that, the distributed fusion filter is generated as the least-squares matrix-weighted linear combination of the local estimators. Also, a recursive algorithm for the optimal linear centralized filter is proposed. In order to compare the estimators performance, recursive formulas for the error covariance matrices are derived in all the algorithms. The effects of the delays in the filters accuracy are analyzed in a numerical example which also illustrates how some usual network-induced uncertainties can be dealt with using the current observation model described by random matrices

Stochastic Processes with Applications

Stochastic processes have wide relevance in mathematics both for theoretical aspects and for their numerous real-world applications in various domains. They represent a very active research field which is attracting the growing interest of scientists from a range of disciplines.This Special Issue aims to present a collection of current contributions concerning various topics related to stochastic processes and their applications. In particular, the focus here is on applications of stochastic processes as models of dynamic phenomena in research areas certain to be of interest, such as economics, statistical physics, queuing theory, biology, theoretical neurobiology, and reliability theory. Various contributions dealing with theoretical issues on stochastic processes are also included