Contraction analysis of nonlinear systems and its application

The thesis addresses various issues concerning the convergence properties of switched systems and differential algebraic equation (DAE) systems. Specifically, we focus on contraction analysis problem, as well as tackling problems related to stabilization and synchronization. We consider the contraction analysis of switched systems and DAE systems. To address this, a transformation is employed to convert the contraction analysis problem into a stabilization analysis problem. This transformation involves the introduction of virtual systems, which exhibit a strong connection with the Jacobian matrix of the vector field. Analyzing these systems poses a significant challenge due to the distinctive structure of their Jacobian matrices. Regarding the switched systems, a time-dependent switching law is established to guarantee uniform global exponential stability (UGES). As for the DAE system, we begin by embedding it into an ODE system. Subsequently, the UGES property is ensured by analyzing its matrix measure. As our first application, we utilize our approach to stabilize time-invariant switched systems and time-invariant DAE systems, respectively. This involves designing control laws to achieve system contractivity, thereby ensuring that the trajectory set encompasses the equilibrium point. In oursecond application, we propose the design of a time-varying observer by treating the system’s output as an algebraic equation of the DAE system. In our study on synchronization problems, we investigate two types of synchronization issues: the trajectory tracking of switched oscillators and the pinning state synchronization. In the case of switched oscillators, we devise a time-dependent switching law to ensure that these oscillators effectively follow the trajectory of a time-varying system. As for the pinning synchronization problem, we define solvable conditions and, building upon these conditions, we utilize contraction theory to design dynamic controllers that guarantee synchronization is achieved among the agents

Contraction analysis of nonlinear systems and its application

The thesis addresses various issues concerning the convergence properties of switched systems and differential algebraic equation (DAE) systems. Specifically, we focus on contraction analysis problem, as well as tackling problems related to stabilization and synchronization. We consider the contraction analysis of switched systems and DAE systems. To address this, a transformation is employed to convert the contraction analysis problem into a stabilization analysis problem. This transformation involves the introduction of virtual systems, which exhibit a strong connection with the Jacobian matrix of the vector field. Analyzing these systems poses a significant challenge due to the distinctive structure of their Jacobian matrices. Regarding the switched systems, a time-dependent switching law is established to guarantee uniform global exponential stability (UGES). As for the DAE system, we begin by embedding it into an ODE system. Subsequently, the UGES property is ensured by analyzing its matrix measure. As our first application, we utilize our approach to stabilize time-invariant switched systems and time-invariant DAE systems, respectively. This involves designing control laws to achieve system contractivity, thereby ensuring that the trajectory set encompasses the equilibrium point. In oursecond application, we propose the design of a time-varying observer by treating the system’s output as an algebraic equation of the DAE system. In our study on synchronization problems, we investigate two types of synchronization issues: the trajectory tracking of switched oscillators and the pinning state synchronization. In the case of switched oscillators, we devise a time-dependent switching law to ensure that these oscillators effectively follow the trajectory of a time-varying system. As for the pinning synchronization problem, we define solvable conditions and, building upon these conditions, we utilize contraction theory to design dynamic controllers that guarantee synchronization is achieved among the agents

Contraction analysis of switched systems with application to control and observer design

In many control problems, such as tracking and regulation, observer design, coordination and synchronization, it is more natural to describe the stability problem in terms of the asymptotic convergence of trajectories with respect to one another, a property known as incremental stability. Contraction analysis exploits the stability properties of the linearized dynamics to infer incremental stability properties of nonlinear systems. However, results available in the literature do not fully encompass the case of switched dynamical systems. To overcome these limitations, in this thesis we present a novel extension of contraction analysis to such systems based on matrix measures and differential Lyapunov functions. The analysis is conducted first regularizing the system, i.e. approximating it with a smooth dynamical system, and then applying standard contraction results. Based on our new conditions, we present design procedures to synthesize switching control inputs to incrementally stabilize a class of smooth nonlinear systems, and to design state observers for a large class of nonlinear switched systems including those exhibiting sliding motion. In addition, as further work, we present new conditions for the onset of synchronization and consensus patterns in complex networks. Specifically, we show that if network nodes exhibit some symmetry and if the network topology is properly balanced by an appropriate designed communication protocol, then symmetry of the nodes can be exploited to achieve a synchronization/consensus pattern

Evolving and adaptive strategies for consensus and synchronization of multi-agent systems

We investigate evolving and adaptive strategies, in network of dynamical agents, for solving general types of consensus and synchronization. First, we analyse the problem of max/min consensus in directed networks of integrators. Extending edge snapping method with a three-well potential, we are able to show the effectiveness of our strategy to achieve general types of consensus, different from the average. Theoretical results are validated via a number of numerical examples. Then we move to synchronization of coupled non identical oscillators. We design an evolutionary strategy for network synchronization. Our results suggest that heterogeneity is the driving force determining the evolution of state-dependent functional networks. Minimal emergent networks show enhanced synchronization properties and high levels of degree-frequency assortativity. We analyse networks of N = 100 and N = 1000 Kuramoto oscillators showing that hubs in the network tend to emerge as nodes' heterogeneity is increased. Finally, we study synchronization of multi-agent systems from a contraction theory viewpoint. Contraction theory is a useful tool to study convergence of dynamical systems and networks, recently proposed in the literature. In detail, we recall three strategies: virtual systems method, convergence to a flow-invariant subspace and hierarchical approach. While the former is simple to apply, the latter is suited for larger networks