Global exponential observers for two classes of nonlinear systems

This paper develops sufficient conditions for the existence of global exponential observers for two classes of nonlinear systems: (i) the class of systems with a globally asymptotically stable compact set, and (ii) the class of systems that evolve on an open set. In the first class, the derived continuous-time observer also leads to the construction of a robust global sampled-data exponential observer, under additional conditions. Two illustrative examples of applications of the general results are presented: one is a system with monotone nonlinearities and the other is a chemostat system.