Detection and diagnosis of sensor and actuator failures using interacting multiple-model estimator

An approach to detection and diagnosis of multiple failures in a dynamic system is proposed. It is based on the interacting multiple-model (IMM) estimation algorithm, which is one of the most cost-effective adaptive estimation techniques for systems involving structural as well as parametric changes. The proposed approach provides an integrated framework for fault detection, diagnosis, and state estimation. It is able to detect and isolate multiple faults substantially more quickly and more reliably than many existing approaches. Its superiority is illustrated in two aircraft examples for single and double faults of both, sensors and actuators, in the forms of "total", "partial", and simultaneous failures. Comparisons by simulation with existing multiple-model based approaches are also given under various deterministic and random scenarios.