Distributed fault detection and estimation in cyber-physical systems subject to actuator faults

The fault detection and estimation problems for the physical layer network in the cyber-physical systems with unknown external disturbances are investigated in this study. Both bias fault and loss of efficiency scenarios are considered for the actuators. Based on the adaptive threshold method and sliding mode observer approach, a distributed fault detection observer (DFDO) is constructed for each physical layer node to detect the occurrence of actuator faults. Then a relative global estimation error system is defined for the distributed fault estimation observer (DFEO). Compared with the existing results, the proposed DFEO can provide the estimation for not only the actuator bias faults but also the actuators’ efficiency factors under the impact of exogenous disturbance with two gain dynamic update processes. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the given DFDO and the DFEO are examined by Lyapunov stability method and the simulation results.