Modeling of Thermal Traces Using Fractional Order, a Discrete, Memory-Efficient Model

In the paper, the problem of modeling of thermal traces is addressed. The proposed model allows prediction of the behaviour of a thermal mark left by a warm body on cooler ground. In the model, a fractional order (FO) approach is employed. This allows consideration of an inital function (not only a condition in one, initial time instant). The proposed model uses a scalar FO differential equation approximated with the use of Continuous Fraction Expansion (CFE) approximation. This allows maintenance of a relatively small size of the model with good accuracy in the sense of a Mean Square Error (MSE) cost function. Experimental verification confirms good accuracy of the proposed model in modeling of thermal traces.