Canonical factorization of rational matrix functions. A note on a paper by P. Dewilde

A left canonical factorization theorem for rational matrix functions relative to the unit circle is presented. The result is a time invariant version of a recent strict LU factorization theorem for certain semi-separable operators, due to Dewilde (2012) [6]. Explicit formulas for the factors are also given. The theorem is proved, first by using the state space method of Dewilde (2012) [6], and next by using an operator theory approach. In both cases the main part of the proof concerns rational matrix functions that are unitary on the unit circle.