Bounds on the Covariance Matrix of a Class of Kalman-Bucy Filters for Systems with Non-Linear Dynamics

Abstract

We consider a broad class of Kalman-Bucy filter extensions for continuous-time systems with non-linear dynamics and linear measurements. This class contains, for example, the extended Kalman-Bucy filter, the unscented Kalman-Bucy filter, and most other numerical integration filters. We provide simple upper and lower bounds for the trace of the error covariance, as solved from a matrix Riccati equation, for this class of filters. The upper bounds require assuming that the state is fully observed. The bounds are applied to a simple simultaneous localisation and mapping problem and numerically demonstrated on a two-dimensional trigonometric toy model.