Phase limitations of both continuous-time and discrete-time Zames-Falb
multipliers and their relation with the Kalman conjecture are analysed. A phase
limitation for continuous-time multipliers given by Megretski is generalised
and its applicability is clarified; its relation to the Kalman conjecture is
illustrated with a classical example from the literature. It is demonstrated
that there exist fourth-order plants where the existence of a suitable
Zames-Falb multiplier can be discarded and for which simulations show unstable
behavior. A novel phase-limitation for discrete-time Zames-Falb multipliers is
developed. Its application is demonstrated with a second-order counterexample
to the Kalman conjecture. Finally, the discrete-time limitation is used to show
that there can be no direct counterpart of the off-axis circle criterion in the
discrete-time domain
