On Sample-Based Functional Observability of Linear Systems

Sample-based observability characterizes the ability to reconstruct the internal state of a dynamical system by using limited output information, i.e., when measurements are only infrequently and/or irregularly available. In this letter, we investigate the concept of functional observability, which refers to the ability to infer a function of the system state from the outputs, within a sample-based framework. Here, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for a system to be sample-based functionally observable, and formulate conditions on the sampling schemes such that these are satisfied. Furthermore, we provide a numerical example, where we demonstrate the applicability of the obtained results.