Implementation and Performance Analysis of Kalman Filters with Consistency Validation

Abstract

This paper provides a useful supplement note for implementing the Kalman filters. The material presented in this work points out several significant highlights with emphasis on performance evaluation and consistency validation between the discrete Kalman filter (DKF) and the continuous Kalman filter (CKF). Several important issues are delivered through comprehensive exposition accompanied by supporting examples, both qualitatively and quantitatively for implementing the Kalman filter algorithms. The lesson learned assists the readers to capture the basic principles of the topic and enables the readers to better interpret the theory, understand the algorithms, and correctly implement the computer codes for further study on the theory and applications of the topic. A wide spectrum of content is covered from theoretical to implementation aspects, where the DKF and CKF along with the theoretical error covariance check based on Riccati and Lyapunov equations are involved. Consistency check of performance between discrete and continuous Kalman filters enables readers to assure correctness on implementing and coding for the algorithm. The tutorial-based exposition presented in this article involves the materials from a practical usage perspective that can provide profound insights into the topic with an appropriate understanding of the stochastic process and system theory.