Sensitivity to perturbations in variable structure systems

Variable structure systems are systems for which the behaviour switches between several configurations, each of them modelled by a system of ODEs. The behaviour of perturbations around trajectories of variable structure systems is studied and a sensitivity formula is derived. This formula consists of a chain of monodromy matrices and corrections which are rank-1 updates of the unity matrix. Applications include the adaptation of classical shooting algorithms for computing periodic solutions to piecewise smooth systems.     

Stabilization for a class of second-order switched systems

This paper considers the asymptotic stabilization problem of second-order linear time-invariant (LTI) autonomous switched systems consisting of two subsystems with unstable focus equilibrium. More precisely, we find a necessary and sufficient condition for the origin to be asymptotically stable under the predesigned switching law. The result is obtained without looking for a common Lyapunov function or multiple Lyapunov function, but studying the locus in which the two subsystem's vector fields are parallel. Then the “most stabilizing” switching laws are designed which have translated the switched system into a piecewise linear system. Two numerical examples are presented to show the potential of the proposed techniques.     

Periodical stabilization of switched linear systems

Periodical stabilization problems for switched linear systems are investigated in this paper. For autonomous switched systems, if there exists a stable convex combination of the subsystems, then a periodically switching signal can be constructed such that the overall system is asymptotically stable. Based on this fact, for switched control systems, corresponding sufficient conditions are presented under which constant/switching direct/observer-based state feedback controller can be designed such that the corresponding closed-loop systems are asymptotically stable under some periodically switching signal. Some numerical examples are given to illustrate our results.     

Stability of switched systems with time delay

In this paper, we study the qualitative properties of linear and nonlinear delay switched systems which have stable and unstable subsystems. First, we prove some inequalities which lead to the switching laws that guarantee: (a) the global exponential stability to linear switched delay systems with stable and unstable subsystems; (b) the local exponential stability of nonlinear switched delay systems with stable and unstable subsystems. In addition, these switching laws indicate that if the total activation time ratio among the stable subsystems, unstable subsystems and time delay is larger than a certain number, the switched systems are exponentially stable for any switching signals under these laws. Some examples are given to illustrate the main results.     

Asymptotic stability and stabilizability of special classes of discrete-time positive switched systems

In this paper we consider discrete-time positive switched systems, switching among autonomous subsystems, characterized either by monomial matrices or by circulant matrices. Necessary and sufficient conditions are provided guaranteeing either (global uniform) asymptotic stability or stabilizability (i.e. the possibility of driving to zero the state trajectory corresponding to any initial state by resorting to some switching sequence). Such conditions lead to simple algorithms that allow to easily detect, under suitable conditions, whether a given positive switched system is not stabilizable.     

Exponential stability and applications of switched positive linear impulsive systems with time-varying delays and all unstable subsystems

The global uniform exponential stability of switched positive linear impulsive systems with time-varying delays and all unstable subsystems is studied in this paper, which includes two types of distributed time-varying delays and discrete time-varying delays. Switching behaviors dominating the switched systems can be either stabilizing and destabilizing in the new designed switching sequence. We design new linear programming algorithm process to find the feasible ratio of stabilizing switching behaviors, which can be compensated by unstable subsystems, destabilizing switching behaviors, and impulses. Specically, we add a kind of nonnegative impulses which is consistent with the switching behaviors for the systems. Employing a multiple co-positive Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, we present several new sufficient stability criteria and design new switching sequence. Then, we apply the obtained stability criteria to the exponential consensus of linear delayed multi-agent systems, and obtain the new exponential consensus criteria. Three simulations are provided to demonstrate the proposed stability criteria.     

Stochastic stability analysis for joint process driven and networked hybrid systems

The stochastic stability and impulsive noise disturbance attenuation in a class of joint process driven and networked hybrid systems with coupling delays (JPDNHSwD) has been investigated. In particular, there are two separable processes monitoring the networked hybrid systems. One drives inherent network structures and properties, the other induces random variations in the control law. Continuous dynamics and control laws in networked subsystems and couplings among subsystems change as events occur stochastically in a spatio-temporal fashion. When an event occurs, the continuous state variables may jump from one value to another. Using the stochastic Lyapunov functional approach, sufficient conditions on the existence of a remote time-delay feedback controller which ensures stochastic stability for this class of JPDNHSwD are obtained. The derived conditions are expressed in terms of solutions of LMIs. An illustrative example of a dynamical network driven by two Markovian processes is used to demonstrate the satisfactory control performance.     

Introducing multiobjective complex systems

This article focuses on the optimization of a complex system which is composed of several subsystems. On the one hand, these subsystems are subject to multiple objectives, local constraints as well as local variables, and they are associated with an own, subsystem-dependent decision maker. On the other hand, these subsystems are interconnected to each other by global variables or linking constraints. Due to these interdependencies, it is in general not possible to simply optimize each subsystem individually to improve the performance of the overall system. This article introduces a formal graph-based representation of such complex systems and generalizes the classical notions of feasibility and optimality to match this complex situation. Moreover, several algorithmic approaches are suggested and analyzed.     

Integrability and conservation laws for two systems of hydrodynamic type derived from the Toda and Volterra systems

We prove that two particular systems of hydrodynamic type can be represented as systems of conservation laws, and that they decouple into non-interacting integrable subsystems. The systems of hydrodynamic type in question were previously constructed, via a matrix partial differential equation, from the Lax pairs for the classical Toda and Volterra systems. The decoupling is guaranteed by the vanishing of the Nijenhuis tensor for each system; integrability of the non-interacting subsystems, thus each system as a whole, is proven for low eigenvalue multiplicities.     

Stabilization analysis for economic compartmental switched systems based on quadratic Lyapunov function

The compartmental model is one of the important applications in economic and social dynamic systems which are made of numbers of units-subsystems. Stabilization of economic compartmental switched systems with compartmental subsystems is studied in this paper. A quadratic Lyapunov function is introduced to construct switching law in order to stabilize these kinds of mathematical economic and social models. Necessary and sufficient conditions of stabilization are presented for both asynchronous and synchronous switching. Precisely, after a proper change in state space, stabilization conditions can be expressed in terms of matrix inequalities. At the same time, definitions, theorems and corollaries as well as a detailed simulation result of one example are presented to show the effectiveness of the main result obtained.     

Remarks on integrable systems

The problem of integrability conditions for systems of differential equations is discussed. Darboux’s classical results on the integrability of linear non-autonomous systems with an incomplete set of particular solutions are generalized. Special attention is paid to linear Hamiltonian systems. The paper discusses the general problem of integrability of the systems of autonomous differential equations in an n-dimensional space, which admit the algebra of symmetry fields of dimension ? n. Using a method due to Liouville, this problem is reduced to investigating the integrability conditions for Hamiltonian systems with Hamiltonians linear in the momenta in phase space of dimension that is twice as large. In conclusion, the integrability of an autonomous system in three-dimensional space with two independent non-trivial symmetry fields is proved. It should be emphasized that no additional conditions are imposed on these fields.     

Necessary and sufficient conditions for quadratic stabilizability of switched systems on non-uniform time domains

In this paper, we consider the quadratic stabilizability via state feedback for a particular class of switched systems that evolve on a non-uniform time domain by introducing time scales theory. The system considered switches between a continuous-time subsystem with variable lengths and a discrete-time subsystem with variable discrete step sizes. Necessary and sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee the quadratic stability of this class of switched systems via a switching state feedback law based on the existence of a common positive definite matrix satisfying the quadratic stabilizability condition by considering that the two subsystems are unstable. By state feedback, we mean that the switching among subsystems depends on the system states. Current results for this kind of state switching feedback control are derived only for switched systems evolving on a continuous time domain or a discrete time domain with fixed step’s size. These results are not applicable for the particular class of switched systems where there is a mixing between the continuous and discrete dynamics. This motivates the derivation of a new and more general state feedback control law for switched systems in this work. A numerical example illustrating the results is presented.     

An efficiency measurement framework for multi-stage production systems

We develop an efficiency measurement framework for systems composed of two subsystems arranged in series that simultaneously computes the efficiency of the aggregate system and each subsystem. Our approach expands the technology sets of each subsystem by allowing each to acquire resources from the other in exchange for delivery of the appropriate (intermediate or final) product, and to form composites from both subsystems. Managers of each subsystem will not agree to ‘`vertical integration’' initiatives unless each subsystem will be more efficient than what each can achieve by separately applying conventional efficiency analysis. A Pareto Efficient frontier characterizes the acceptable set of efficiencies of each subsystem from which the managers will negotiate to select the final outcome. Three proposals for the choice for the Pareto efficient point are discussed: the one that achieves the largest equiproportionate reduction in the classical efficiencies; the one that achieves the largest equal reduction in efficiency; and the one that maximizes the radial contraction in the aggregate consumption of resources originally employed before integration. We show how each choice for the Pareto efficient point determines a derived measure of aggregate efficiency. An extensive numerical example is used to illustrate exactly how the 2 subsystems can significantly improve their operational efficiencies via integration beyond what would be predicted by conventional analysis.     

Analysis and design of switched normal systems

In this paper, we study the stability property for a class of switched linear systems whose subsystems are normal. The subsystems can be continuous-time or discrete-time ones. We show that when all the continuous-time subsystems are Hurwitz stable and all the discrete-time subsystems are Schur stable, a common quadratic Lyapunov function exists for the subsystems and thus the switched system is exponentially stable under arbitrary switching. We show that when unstable subsystems are involved, for a desired decay rate of the system, if the activation time ratio between stable subsystems and unstable ones is less than a certain value (calculated using the decay rate), then the switched system is exponentially stable with the desired decay rate.     

Analysis and design of switched normal systems

In this paper, we study the stability property for a class of switched linear systems whose subsystems are normal. The subsystems can be continuous-time or discrete-time ones. We show that when all the continuous-time subsystems are Hurwitz stable and all the discrete-time subsystems are Schur stable, a common quadratic Lyapunov function exists for the subsystems and thus the switched system is exponentially stable under arbitrary switching. We show that when unstable subsystems are involved, for a desired decay rate of the system, if the activation time ratio between stable subsystems and unstable ones is less than a certain value (calculated using the decay rate), then the switched system is exponentially stable with the desired decay rate.     

Persistence in systems of asymptotically autonomous difference equations

Asymptotically autonomous dynamical systems, both continuous and discrete, arise in the study of physical and biological systems that are modeled with explicit time-dependence.Convergence properties of such dynamical systems can be used to simplify analysis. In this paper, results are derived concerning the limiting behavior of a general asymptotically autonomous system of difference equations and its relationship to the dynamics of its limiting system. Examples from the biological literature are given.     

The global controllability of some mechanical systems with absolutely elastic impacts

Sufficient conditions are presented for the stabilizability and global controllability of certain natural Lagrangian systems with a non-negative potential energy when there are ideal unilateral constraints. In the general case, the number of controls is less than the number of degrees of freedom and the controls are bounded by preassigned quantities. Examples of globally controlled systems with two degrees of freedom are considered in which the action of the unilateral constraints is modelled within the framework of classical collision theory.     

Estimates of reachable sets of multidimensional control systems with nonlinear interconnections

The paper is devoted to the problem of constructing external estimates for the reachable set of a multidimensional control system by means of vector estimators. A system is considered that permits a decomposition into several independent subsystems with simple structure (for example, linear subsystems), which are connected to each other by means of nonlinear interconnections. For each of the subsystems, an external estimate of the reachable set is assumed to be known; this estimate is representable in the form of a level set of some function satisfying a differential inequality. An estimate for the reachable set of the combined system is constructed with the use of estimates for subsystems. The method of deriving the estimates is based on constructing comparison systems for analogs of vector Lyapunov functions (value functions).     

Reduction of underdetermined systems of ordinary differential equations: I

We consider the equivalence problem for underdetermined systems of ordinary differential equations. We present canonical forms for some types of autonomous systems linear in the derivatives. It is shown that, among three-dimensional autonomous systems linear in the derivatives, there are infinitely many locally nonequivalent systems.