On the observability properties of a class of 2D discrete linear systems

Repetitive processes are a distinct class of 2D systems of both theoretical and applications interest. They arise, for example, in the modeling of industrial processes such as long-wall coal cutting and are the essential starting point for the study of classes of linear iterative learning control schemes. The development of a 'mature' systems theory for these processes is the subject of the paper. In particular, a Volterra operator setting is used to produce the first significant results on an observability theory for so-called discrete linear repetitive processes which are of particular interest in a number of areas, e.g. the modeling and analysis of a wide class of linear iterative learning control schemes.