Identification of Backlash Nonlinear System by use of M-sequence and correlation

This paper describes a new method of identifcation of backlash nonlinear systems by use of M-sequence correlation method. In this method, we can obtain not only Volterra kernels of up to 3rd order of the nonlinear system, but also the width of the backlash element from observing the crosscorrelation between the input and the output. Here strictly speaking, a multi-valued nonlinear system such as backlash element can not be expressed by Volterra kernel representation mathematically. But in practice, we encounter many cases where it is difficult to treat them mathematically but they can be controlled from experience. So we here dare to suppose that backlash nonlinear system can be approximated by Volterra kernel representation. Simulations are carried out on a nonlinear system consisting of linear part plus backlash element. And Volterra kernels are measured. The output calculated from the observed Volterra kernels is in good agreement wi th the actual output. And we show that we can obtain the width of backlash element, which is one of the most important parameters, by observing the maximum value of crosscorrelation function between the input M-sequence and the output.