Delayed observers for linear systems with unknown inputs

We present a method for constructing reduced-order state observers for linear systems with unknown inputs. Our approach provides a characterization of observers with delay, which eases the established necessary conditions for existence of unknown input observers with zero-delay. We develop a parameterization of the observer gain that decouples the unknown inputs from the estimation error, and we use the remaining freedom to ensure stability of the error dynamics. Our procedure is quite general in that it encompasses the design of full-order observers via appropriate choices of design matrices. Index Terms--State estimation, system inversion, unknown input observer.