Fixed-structure Gaussian process model

This article describes a method for modelling non-linear dynamic systems from measurement data. The method merges the linear local model blending approach in the velocity-based linearisation form with Bayesian Gaussian process (GP) modelling. The new Fixed-Structure GP (FSGP) model has a predetermined linear model structure with varying and probabilistic parameters represented by GP models. These models have several advantages for the modelling of local model parameters as they give us adequate results, even with small data sets. Furthermore, they provide a measure of the confidence in the prediction of the varying parameters and information about the dependence of the parameters on individual inputs. The FSGP model can be applied for the extended local linear equivalence class of non-linear systems. The obtained non-linear system model can be, for example, used for control-system design. The proposed modelling method is illustrated with a simple example of non-linear system modelling for control design.