A constrained optimization approach to nonlinear system identification through simulation error minimization
Optimization and Control
2025-12-17 v2 Systems and Control
Systems and Control
Abstract
This paper introduces a novel approach to system identification for nonlinear input-output models that minimizes the simulation error and frames the problem as a constrained optimization task. The proposed method addresses vanishing gradient issues, enabling faster convergence than traditional gradient-based techniques. We present an algorithm based on feedback linearization control of Lagrange multipliers and conduct a theoretical analysis of its performance. We prove that the algorithm converges to a local minimum, and it enhances computational efficiency by exploiting the problem's structure. Numerical experiments demonstrate that our approach outperforms gradient-based methods in both computational effort and estimation accuracy.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2509.01461,
title = {A constrained optimization approach to nonlinear system identification through simulation error minimization},
author = {Vito Cerone and Sophie M. Fosson and Simone Pirrera and Diego Regruto},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2509.01461},
year = {2025}
}