Parameter identification for ordinary and delay differential equations by using flat inputs

The concept of differential flatness has been widely used for nonlinear controller design. In this contribution, it is shown that flatness may also be a very useful property for parameter identification. An identification method based on flat inputs is introduced. The treatment of noisy measurements and the extension of the method to delay differential equations are discussed. The method is illustrated by two case studies: the well-known FitzHugh-Nagumo equations and a virus replication model with delays.