Analysis techniques for fractional order systems: A survey

Fractional calculus, which deals with the integration and differentiation of non-integer order, is widely being used these days to mathematically model many engineering and scientific systems ranging from microbiological processes to astronomical images. The efficient and accurate analysis of such systems, usually referred to as the fractional order systems, has become very important and a number of analysis techniques have been recently proposed. This paper provides a brief survey about these fractional order system analysis techniques while highlighting upon their key strengths and drawbacks. In particular, we evaluate each analysis technique with respect to its expressiveness, accuracy and scalability. We also propose a hybrid analysis technique, which is more efficient and reliable, for the analysis of fractional order systems.