# Modal Analysis of Spatiotemporal Data via Multivariate Gaussian Process Regression

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.13118 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2403.13118/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 4 of its 31 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 19 Mar 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [Modern Koopman Theory for Dynamical Systems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2102.12086/) (2021)
- [Rigorous data-driven computation of spectral properties of Koopman operators for dynamical systems](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2111.14889/) (2021)
- [Sparsity-promoting algorithms for the discovery of informative Koopman invariant subspaces](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2002.10637/) (2020)
- [Gaussian Process Koopman Mode Decomposition](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2209.04111/) (2022)

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Learning solution operator of dynamical systems with diffusion maps kernel ridge regression](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2512.17203/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Modal analysis has become an essential tool to understand the coherent structure of complex flows. The classical modal analysis methods, such as dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) and spectral proper orthogonal decomposition (SPOD), rely on a sufficient amount of data that is regularly sampled in time. However, often one needs to deal with sparse temporally irregular data, e.g., due to experimental measurements and simulation algorithm. To overcome the limitations of data scarcity and irregular sampling, we propose a novel modal analysis technique using multi-variate Gaussian process regression (MVGPR). We first establish the connection between MVGPR and the existing modal analysis techniques, DMD and SPOD, from a linear system identification perspective. Next, leveraging this connection, we develop a MVGPR-based modal analysis technique that addresses the aforementioned limitations. The capability of MVGPR is endowed by its judiciously designed kernel structure for correlation function, that is derived from the assumed linear dynamics. Subsequently, the proposed MVGPR method is benchmarked against DMD and SPOD on a range of examples, from academic and synthesized data to unsteady airfoil aerodynamics. The results demonstrate MVGPR as a promising alternative to classical modal analysis methods, especially in the scenario of scarce and temporally irregular data.