Robust centralized and integrated covariance intersection fusion Kalman estimators for networked mixed‐uncertain systems

Summary For networked mixed uncertain time‐varying systems with uncertain noise variances, random one‐step measurement delay, state‐dependent and noise‐dependent multiplicative noises, and linearly dependent additive white noises, the robust local, centralized, and distributed fusion estimation problems are addressed. Three new approaches are presented, which include a new augmented state approach with fictitious white noises, an extended Lyapunov equation approach with two Lyapunov equations, and a universal integrated covariance intersection (ICI) fusion approach of integrating the minimax robust local Kalman estimators and their conservative cross‐covariances. They constitute a new important methodology of solving robust fusion estimation problems. Applying them, the local, centralized, and distributed ICI fusion time‐varying and steady‐state robust Kalman estimators (predictor, filter, and smoother) are presented in the sense that for all admissible uncertainties, their actual estimation error variances are guaranteed to have the corresponding minimal upper bounds. Their robustness, convergence, and accuracy relations are proved. Specially, the proposed ICI fusers improve the robust accuracies of the original covariance intersection fusers, and overcome their drawbacks, such that the local estimators and their conservative variances are assumed to be known, and the conservative cross‐variances are ignored. A simulation example with application to a vehicle suspension system shows the effectiveness of the proposed approaches and results.