Constrained system identification for incorporation of a priori knowledge

An exemplary method of improving an initial parametric model of a system by the incorporation of a priori knowledge of the system. The initial parametric model of the system is a model including a plurality of parameters based on analysis of a plurality of input signals and a plurality of output signals. The method includes the steps of determining a set of constraints corresponding to a set of the plurality of parameters and based on the a priori knowledge and then performing a constrained parametric optimization of the system based on the initial parametric model and the set of determined constraints to produce an improved parametric model of the system. The constrained parametric optimization of the initial parametric model does not include the plurality of input signals and the plurality of output signals.