Comparing different approaches to model error modeling in robust identification

Identification for robust control must deliver not only a nominal model, but also a reliable estimate of the uncertainty associated with the model. This paper addresses recent approaches to robust identification, that aim at dealing with contributions from the two main uncertainty sources: unmodeled dynamics and noise affecting the data. In particular, non-stationary Stochastic Embedding, Model Error Modeling based on prediction error methods and Set Membership Identification are considered. Moreover, we show how Set Membership Identification can be embedded into a Model Error Modeling framework. Model validation issues are easily addressed in the proposed framework. A discussion of asymptotic properties of all methods is presented. For all three methods, uncertainty is evaluated in terms of the frequency response, so that it can be handled by H-infinity control techniques. An example, where a nontrivial undermodeling is ensured by the presence of a nonlinearity in the system generating the data, is presented to compare these methods.