Positive-real systems under lossless transformations: Invariants and reduced order models

In this paper, positive-real systems under lossless positive-real transformations are investigated. Let G(s) be the transfer function matrix of a continuous-time positive-real system of order n and F(s) a lossless transfer function of order nF. We prove here that the lossless positive-real transformed system, i.e. G(F(s)), is also positive-real. Furthermore, the stochastic balanced representation of positive-real systems under lossless positive-real transformations is considered. In particular, it is proved that the positive-real characteristic values πj of G(F(s)) are the same of G(s) each with multiplicity nF, independently from the choice of F(s). This property is exploited in the design of reduced order models based on stochastic balancing. Finally, the proposed technique is a passivity preserving model order reduction method, since it is proven that the reduced order model of G(F(s)) is still positive-real. An error bound for truncation related to the invariants πj is also derived.