Fractional Order Models Are Doubly Infinite Dimensional Models and thus of Infinite Memory: Consequences on Initialization and Some Solutions

Abstract

Using a small number of mathematical transformations, this article examines the nature of fractional models described by fractional differential equations or pseudo state space descriptions. Computation of the impulse response of a fractional model using the Cauchy method shows that they exhibit infinitely small and high time constants. This impulse response can be rewritten as a diffusive representation whose Fourier transform permits a representation of a fractional model by a diffusion equation in an infinite space domain. Fractional models can thus be viewed as doubly infinite dimensional models: infinite as distributed with a distribution in an infinite domain. This infinite domain or the infinitely large time constants of the impulse response reveal a property intrinsic to fractional models: their infinite memory. Solutions to generate fractional behaviors without infinite memory are finally proposed.