Cyclic classes and attraction cones in max algebra

In max algebra it is well-known that the sequence A^k, with A an irreducible square matrix, becomes periodic at sufficiently large k. This raises a number of questions on the periodic regime of A^k and A^k x, for a given vector x. Also, this leads to the concept of attraction cones in max algebra, by which we mean sets of vectors whose ultimate orbit period does not exceed a given number. This paper shows that some of these questions can be solved by matrix squaring (A,A^2,A^4, ...), analogously to recent findings concerning the orbit period in max-min algebra. Hence the computational complexity of such problems is of the order O(n^3 log n). The main idea is to apply an appropriate diagonal similarity scaling A -> X^{-1}AX, called visualization scaling, and to study the role of cyclic classes of the critical graph. For powers of a visualized matrix in the periodic regime, we observe remarkable symmetry described by circulants and their rectangular generalizations. We exploit this symmetry to derive a concise system of equations for attraction cpne, and we present an algorithm which computes the coefficients of the system.Comment: 38 page

Extremals of the supereigenvector cone in max algebra: a combinatorial description

We give a combinatorial description of extremal generators of the supereigenvector cone {x: Ax>=x} in max algebra.Comment: 11 page

Multiorder, Kleene stars and cyclic projectors in the geometry of max cones

This paper summarizes results on some topics in the max-plus convex geometry, mainly concerning the role of multiorder, Kleene stars and cyclic projectors, and relates them to some topics in max algebra. The multiorder principle leads to max-plus analogues of some statements in the finite-dimensional convex geometry and is related to the set covering conditions in max algebra. Kleene stars are fundamental for max algebra, as they accumulate the weights of optimal paths and describe the eigenspace of a matrix. On the other hand, the approach of tropical convexity decomposes a finitely generated semimodule into a number of convex regions, and these regions are column spans of uniquely defined Kleene stars. Another recent geometric result, that several semimodules with zero intersection can be separated from each other by max-plus halfspaces, leads to investigation of specific nonlinear operators called cyclic projectors. These nonlinear operators can be used to find a solution to homogeneous multi-sided systems of max-linear equations. The results are presented in the setting of max cones, i.e., semimodules over the max-times semiring.Comment: 26 pages, a minor revisio

On hyperplanes and semispaces in max-min convex geometry

The concept of separation by hyperplanes is fundamental for convex geometry and its tropical (max-plus) analogue. However, analogous separation results in max-min convex geometry are based on semispaces. This paper answers the question which semispaces are hyperplanes and when it is possible to classically separate by hyperplanes in max-min convex geometry

Characterizing matrices with XX-simple image eigenspace in max-min semiring

A matrix $A$ is said to have $X$-simple image eigenspace if any eigenvector $x$ belonging to the interval $X=\{x\colon \underline{x}\leq x\leq\overline{x}\}$ is the unique solution of the system $A\otimes y=x$ in $X$. The main result of this paper is a combinatorial characterization of such matrices in the linear algebra over max-min (fuzzy) semiring. The characterized property is related to and motivated by the general development of tropical linear algebra and interval analysis, as well as the notions of simple image set and weak robustness (or weak stability) that have been studied in max-min and max-plus algebras.Comment: 23 page

X-simple image eigencones of tropical matrices

We investigate max-algebraic (tropical) one-sided systems $A\otimes x=b$ where $b$ is an eigenvector and $x$ lies in an interval $X$. A matrix $A$ is said to have $X$-simple image eigencone associated with an eigenvalue $\lambda$, if any eigenvector $x$ associated with $\lambda$ and belonging to the interval $X$ is the unique solution of the system $A\otimes y=\lambda x$ in $X$. We characterize matrices with $X$-simple image eigencone geometrically and combinatorially, and for some special cases, derive criteria that can be efficiently checked in practice.Comment: 25 page

CSR expansions of matrix powers in max algebra

We study the behavior of max-algebraic powers of a reducible nonnegative n by n matrix A. We show that for t>3n^2, the powers A^t can be expanded in max-algebraic powers of the form CS^tR, where C and R are extracted from columns and rows of certain Kleene stars and S is diadonally similar to a Boolean matrix. We study the properties of individual terms and show that all terms, for a given t>3n^2, can be found in O(n^4 log n) operations. We show that the powers have a well-defined ultimate behavior, where certain terms are totally or partially suppressed, thus leading to ultimate CS^tR terms and the corresponding ultimate expansion. We apply this expansion to the question whether {A^ty, t>0} is ultimately linear periodic for each starting vector y, showing that this question can be also answered in O(n^4 log n) time. We give examples illustrating our main results.Comment: 25 pages, minor corrections, added 3 illustration

On the max-algebraic core of a nonnegative matrix

The max-algebraic core of a nonnegative matrix is the intersection of column spans of all max-algebraic matrix powers. Here we investigate the action of a matrix on its core. Being closely related to ultimate periodicity of matrix powers, this study leads us to new modifications and geometric characterizations of robust, orbit periodic and weakly stable matrices.Comment: 27 page