Finite‐time stability of switched positive linear systems

This brief paper addresses the finite‐time stability problem of switched positive linear systems. First, the concept of finite‐time stability is extended to positive linear systems and switched positive linear systems. Then, by using the state transition matrix of the system and copositive Lyapunov function, we present a necessary and sufficient condition and a sufficient condition for finite‐time stability of positive linear systems. Furthermore, two sufficient conditions for finite‐time stability of switched positive linear systems are given by using the common copositive Lyapunov function and multiple copositive Lyapunov functions, a class of switching signals with average dwell time is designed to stabilize the system, and a computational method for vector functions used to construct the Lyapunov function of systems is proposed. Finally, a concrete application is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.