The Kalman filter is a powerful tool in linear-systems analysis. The a
uthors present a particular application in which there are more measur
ements than states. In such an application, the state-space system can
be replaced by an equivalent one that has the same number of measurem
ents as states. The Kalman filter will produce the same stale estimate
s for both systems. Using the equivalent system leads to a substantial
saving in computer operations.