This paper addresses the problem of transforming a single-input single-output discrete-time system into the extended observer form which comprises a linear observable component and a nonlinear injection term depending on the input, output and their forward shifts up to a finite order. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of the extended observer form are provided in terms of vector fields. The algorithm is presented to find a parametrised state transformation necessary to transform the system into the extended observer form. The obtained results are applicable also in case of non-reversible systems.

—This technical note addresses the problem of transforming a single-input–single-output discrete-time system into the extended observer form, which comprise a linear time-invariant observable component, and a nonlinear injection term, which depends on the input, output, and their forward shifts up to a finite order. Intrinsic necessary and sufficient conditions are provided for obtaining the extended observer form via a parametrized state transformation. The conditions are formulated directly in terms of the state equations and do not rely on input–output equations as in the earlier papers. Further, an algorithm for obtaining the required transformation is presented. Unlike the existing results on observer forms, the results are not restricted to reversible systems but to more general submersive systems, i.e., to systems, which are reversible via static state feedback.