A structured approach to the problem of state estimation for cascaded linear sub-systems is studied in terms of minimizing a measure of the error relative to a model over a moving horizon of past system input and output observations. A quadratic programming formulation of this optimization problem is considered and two approaches are explored. One approach involves solving the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions directly, and the other is based on the alternating direction method of multipliers. In both cases, the problem structure can be exploited to yield distributed computations in the following sense: Construction of the estimate for each sub-system component of the state involves information pertaining to the two immediate neighbours only. Numerical simulations based on model data from an automated irrigation channel are used to investigate and compare the computational burden of the two approaches.

In this letter, the interplay between a class of nonlinear estimators and strategic sensors is studied in several participatory-sensing scenarios. It is shown that for the class of estimators, if the strategic sensors have access to noiseless measurements of the to-be-estimated-variable, truth-telling is an equilibrium of the game that models the interplay between the sensors and the estimator. Furthermore, performance of the proposed estimators is examined in the case that the strategic sensors form coalitions and in the presence of noise.

Irrigation networks of open-water channels are used throughout the world to support agricultural activity. By and large, these networks are managed in open loop. To achieve closed-loop water distribution management, it is necessary to augment these civil engineering systems with an appropriate information infrastructure-sensors, actuators, information processing, and communication resources. Recent pilot projects in Australia demonstrate the significant potential of closed-loop management, which can yield a significant improvement in the quality of service, while achieving improved water distribution efficiency. This paper focuses on the modelling and closed-loop control of open-water channels from the perspective of large-scale irrigation network management. Several feedback information structures are discussed and the key design tradeoffs identified