A Faa di Bruno Hopf algebra for a group of Fliess operators with applications to feedback

A Faa di Bruno type Hopf algebra is developed fora group of integral operators known as Fliess operators, where operator composition is the group product. Such operators are normally written in terms of generating series over a noncommutative alphabet. Using a general series expansion for the antipode, an explicit formula for the generating series of the compositional inverse operator is derived. The result is applied to analytic nonlinear feedback systems to produce an explicit formula for the feedback product, that is, the generating series for the Fliess operator representation of the closed-loop system written in terms of the generating series of the Fliess operator component systems. This formula is employed to provide a proof that local convergence is preserved under feedback. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.