Further results on Lyapunov functions for slowly time-varying systems

We provide general methods for explicitly constructing strict Lyapunov functions for fully nonlinear slowly time-varying systems. Our results apply to cases where the given dynamics and corresponding frozen dynamics are not necessarily exponentially stable. This complements our previous Lyapunov function constructions for rapidly time-varying dynamics. We also explicitly construct input-to-state stable Lyapunov functions for slowly time-varying control systems. We illustrate our findings by constructing explicit Lyapunov functions for a pendulum model, an example from identification theory, and a perturbed friction model.     

Further remarks on strict input-to-state stable Lyapunov functions for time-varying systems

We study the stability properties of a class of time-varying non-linear systems. We assume that non-strict input-to-state stable (ISS) Lyapunov functions for our systems are given and posit a mild persistency of excitation condition on our given Lyapunov functions which guarantee the existence of strict ISS Lyapunov functions for our systems. Next, we provide simple direct constructions of explicit strict ISS Lyapunov functions for our systems by applying an integral smoothing method. We illustrate our constructions using a tracking problem for a rotating rigid body.     

Further results on input-to-state stability for nonlinear systems with delayed feedbacks

We consider a class of nonlinear control systems for which stabilizing feedbacks and corresponding Lyapunov functions for the closed-loop systems are available. In the presence of feedback delays and actuator errors, we explicitly construct input-to-state stability (ISS) Lyapunov-Krasovskii functionals for the resulting feedback delayed dynamics, in terms of the available Lyapunov functions for the original undelayed dynamics, which establishes that the closed-loop systems are input-to-state stable (ISS) with respect to actuator errors. We illustrate our results using a generalized system from identification theory and other examples.     

Strict Lyapunov functions for time-varying systems

Uniformly asymptotically stable periodic time-varying systems for which is known a Lyapunov function with a derivative along the trajectories non-positive and negative definite in the state variable on non-empty open intervals of the time are considered. For these systems, strict Lyapunov functions are constructed.     

A new Lyapunov function for stability of time-varying nonlinear perturbed systems

In this paper, global and local uniform asymptotic stability of perturbed dynamical systems is studied by using Lyapunov techniques. The restriction about the perturbed term is that the perturbation is bounded by an integrable function under the assumption that the nominal system is globally uniformly asymptotically stable. We use a new Lyapunov function to obtain a global uniform asymptotical stability of some perturbed systems.     

Lyapunov functions for time-varying systems satisfying generalized conditions of Matrosov theorem

The classical Matrosov theorem concludes uniform asymptotic stability of time-varying systems via a weak Lyapunov function (positive definite, decrescent, with negative semi-definite derivative along solutions) and another auxiliary function with derivative that is strictly nonzero where the derivative of the Lyapunov function is zero (Mastrosov in J Appl Math Mech 26:1337–1353, 1962). Recently, several generalizations of the classical Matrosov theorem have been reported in Loria et al. (IEEE Trans Autom Control 50:183–198, 2005). None of these results provides a construction of a strong Lyapunov function (positive definite, decrescent, with negative definite derivative along solutions) which is a very useful analysis and controller design tool for nonlinear systems. Inspired by generalized Matrosov conditions in Loria et al. (IEEE Trans Autom Control 50:183–198, 2005), we provide a construction of a strong Lyapunov function via an appropriate weak Lyapunov function and a set of Lyapunov-like functions whose derivatives along solutions of the system satisfy inequalities that have a particular triangular structure. Our results will be very useful in a range of situations where strong Lyapunov functions are needed, such as robustness analysis and Lyapunov function-based controller redesign. We illustrate our results by constructing a strong Lyapunov function for a simple Euler-Lagrange system controlled by an adaptive controller and use this result to determine an ISS controller.     

Piecewise Lyapunov functions for robust stability of linear time-varying systems

In this paper, we investigate the use of two-term piecewise quadratic Lyapunov functions for robust stability of linear time-varying systems. By using the so-called S-procedure and a special variable reduction method, we provide numerically efficient conditions for the robust asymptotic stability of the linear time-varying systems involving the convex combinations of two matrices. An example is included to demonstrate the usefulness of our results.     

Criteria for robust absolute stability of time-varying nonlinear continuous-time systems

The present paper establishes results for the robust absolute stability of a class of nonlinear continuous-time systems with time-varying matrix uncertainties of polyhedral type and multiple time-varying sector nonlinearities. By using the variational method and the Lyapunov Second Method, criteria for robust absolute stability are obtained in different forms for the given class of systems. Specifically, the parametric classes of Lyapunov functions are determined which define the necessary and sufficient conditions of robust absolute stability. The piecewise linear Lyapunov functions of the infinity vector norm type are applied to derive an algebraic criterion for robust absolute stability in the form of solvability conditions of a set of matrix equations. Several simple sufficient conditions of robust absolute stability are given which become necessary and sufficient for special cases. Two examples are presented as applications of the present results to a particular second-order system and to a specific class of systems with time-varying interval matrices in the linear part.     

Control of nonlinear systems with time-varying output constraints

This paper presents control design for strict feedback nonlinear systems with time-varying output constraints. An asymmetric time-varying Barrier Lyapunov Function (BLF) is employed to ensure constraint satisfaction. By allowing the barriers to vary with the desired trajectory in time, the initial condition requirements are relaxed. Through a change of tracking error coordinates, we eliminate the explicit dependence of the BLF on time, thereby simplifying the analysis of constraint satisfaction. We show that asymptotic output tracking is achieved without violation of the output constraint, and also quantify the transient performance bound as a function of time that converges to zero. To handle parametric model uncertainty, we present an adaptive controller that ensures constraint satisfaction during the transient phase of online parameter adaptation. The performance of the proposed control is illustrated through a simulation example.     

Input-to-state stability for discrete-time time-varying systems with applications to robust stabilization of systems in power form

Input-to-state stability (ISS) of a parameterized family of discrete-time time-varying nonlinear systems is investigated. A converse Lyapunov theorem for such systems is developed. We consider parameterized families of discrete-time systems and concentrate on a semiglobal practical type of stability that naturally arises when an approximate discrete-time model is used to design a controller for a sampled-data system. An application of our main result to time-varying periodic systems is presented, and this is used to solve a robust stabilization problem, namely to design a control law for systems in power form yielding semiglobal practical ISS (SP-ISS).     

Controller design for nonlinear affine systems by control Lyapunov functions

This paper addresses the stabilization problems for nonlinear affine systems. First of all, the explicit feedback controller is developed for a nonlinear multiple-input affine system by assuming that there exists a control Lyapunov function. Next, based upon the homogeneous property, sufficient conditions for the continuity of the derived controller are developed. And then the developed control design methodology is applied to stabilize a class of nonlinear affine cascaded systems. It is shown that under some homogeneous assumptions on control Lyapunov functions and the interconnection term, the cascaded system can be globally stabilized. Finally, some interesting results of finite-time stabilization for nonlinear affine systems are also obtained.     

Lyapunov stability analysis for nonlinear delay systems

Sufficient conditions ensuring that a nonlinear system with disturbances having a delay is globally asymptotically stable independent of delay are given. The proof carried out relies extensively on a characterization of the stability property in terms of Lyapunov function. The result is applied to some biological systems and neural networks. A stabilizing memoryless controller for a second-order system with state-delay is also proposed.     

Stability analysis of nonlinear quadratic systems via polyhedral Lyapunov functions

Quadratic systems play an important role in the modeling of a wide class of nonlinear processes (electrical, robotic, biological, etc.). For such systems it is mandatory not only to determine whether the origin of the state space is locally asymptotically stable, but also to ensure that the operative range is included into the convergence region of the equilibrium. Based on this observation, this paper considers the following problem: given the zero equilibrium point of a nonlinear quadratic system, assumed to be locally asymptotically stable, and a certain polytope in the state space containing the origin, determine whether this polytope belongs to the domain of attraction of the equilibrium. The proposed approach is based on polyhedral Lyapunov functions, rather than on the classical quadratic Lyapunov functions. An example shows that our methodology may return less conservative results than those obtainable with previous approaches.     

Lyapunov conditions for input-to-state stability of impulsive systems

This paper introduces appropriate concepts of input-to-state stability (ISS) and integral-ISS for impulsive systems, i.e., dynamical systems that evolve according to ordinary differential equations most of the time, but occasionally exhibit discontinuities (or impulses). We provide a set of Lyapunov-based sufficient conditions for establishing these ISS properties. When the continuous dynamics are ISS, but the discrete dynamics that govern the impulses are not, the impulses should not occur too frequently, which is formalized in terms of an average dwell-time (ADT) condition. Conversely, when the impulse dynamics are ISS, but the continuous dynamics are not, there must not be overly long intervals between impulses, which is formalized in terms of a novel reverse ADT condition. We also investigate the cases where (i) both the continuous and discrete dynamics are ISS, and (ii) one of these is ISS and the other only marginally stable for the zero input, while sharing a common Lyapunov function. In the former case, we obtain a stronger notion of ISS, for which a necessary and sufficient Lyapunov characterization is available. The use of the tools developed herein is illustrated through examples from a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) oscillator and a problem of remote estimation over a communication network.     

Robust stability of time-varying polytopic systems via parameter-dependent homogeneous Lyapunov functions

This paper deals with robust stability analysis of linear state space systems affected by time-varying uncertainties with bounded variation rate. A new class of parameter-dependent Lyapunov functions is introduced, whose main feature is that the dependence on the uncertain parameters and the state variables are both expressed as polynomial homogeneous forms. This class of Lyapunov functions generalizes those successfully employed in the special cases of unbounded variation rates and time-invariant perturbations. The main result of the paper is a sufficient condition to determine the sought Lyapunov function, which amounts to solving an LMI feasibility problem, derived via a suitable parameterization of polynomial homogeneous forms. Moreover, lower bounds on the maximum variation rate for which robust stability of the system is preserved, are shown to be computable in terms of generalized eigenvalue problems. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate how the proposed approach compares with other techniques available in the literature.     

A degree of flexibility in Lyapunov inequalities for establishing input-to-state stability of interconnected systems

In this paper, a novel approach to constructing flexible Lyapunov inequalities is developed for establishing Input-to-State Stability (ISS) of interconnection of nonlinear time-varying systems. It aims at a useful tool for using nonlinear small-gain conditions by allowing some flexibility in Lyapunov inequalities each subsystem is to satisfy. In the application of the ISS small-gain “theorem”, achieving a Lyapunov inequality conforming to a nonlinear small-gain “condition” is not a straightforward task. The proposed technique provides us with many Lyapunov inequalities with which a single trade-off condition between subsystems gains can establish the ISS property of the interconnected system. Proofs are based on explicit construction of Lyapunov functions.     

非线性时变系统的稳定性

研究非线性时变系统的稳定性问题。通过引入具有齐次导数的时不变Lyapunov函数和近似系统的概念,给出一般非线性时变系统的零解渐近稳定的两个充分条件。应用实例显示出所给出方法在应用中是有效和方便的。     

A new Lyapunov design approach for nonlinear systems based on Zubov's method

The present research work proposes a new nonlinear controller synthesis approach that is based on the methodological principles of Lyapunov design. In particular, it relies on a short-horizon model-based prediction and optimization of the rate of “energy dissipation” of the system, as it is realized through the time derivative of an appropriately selected Lyapunov function. The latter is computed by solving Zubov's partial differential equation based on the system's drift vector field. A nonlinear state feedback control law with two adjustable parameters is derived as the solution of an optimization problem that is formulated on the basis of the aforementioned Lyapunov function and closed-loop performance characteristics. A set of system-theoretic properties of the proposed control law are examined as well. Finally, the proposed Lyapunov design method is evaluated in a chemical reactor example which exhibits nonminimum-phase behaviour.     

Stability results for nonlinear feedback systems

This paper presents an approach towards deriving sufficient conditions for the stability of nonlinear feedback systems. The central features of the approach are twofold. Firstly, useful stability tests are obtained for the case when the subsystems have nonlinear dynamics; secondly, a unifying set of general stability criteria are given, from which known situations can be treated as special cases and new ones are handled with equal ease. The results are obtained by use of a recently developed theory of dissipative systems.     

Stabilisation of time-varying linear systems via Lyapunov differential equations

This article studies stabilisation problem for time-varying linear systems via state feedback. Two types of controllers are designed by utilising solutions to Lyapunov differential equations. The first type of feedback controllers involves the unique positive-definite solution to a parametric Lyapunov differential equation, which can be solved when either the state transition matrix of the open-loop system is exactly known, or the future information of the system matrices are accessible in advance. Different from the first class of controllers which may be difficult to implement in practice, the second type of controllers can be easily implemented by solving a state-dependent Lyapunov differential equation with a given positive-definite initial condition. In both cases, explicit conditions are obtained to guarantee the exponentially asymptotic stability of the associated closed-loop systems. Numerical examples show the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.