Capability and limitation of max- and sum-type construction of Lyapunov functions for networks of iISS systems

This paper addresses the problem of verifying stability of networks whose subsystems admit dissipation inequalities of integral input-to-state stability (iISS). We focus on two ways of constructing a Lyapunov function satisfying a dissipation inequality of a given network. Their difference from one another is elucidated from the viewpoint of formulation, relation, fundamental limitation and capability. One is referred to as the max-type construction resulting in a Lipschitz continuous Lyapunov function. The other is the sum-type construction resulting in a continuously differentiable Lyapunov function. This paper presents geometrical conditions under which the Lyapunov construction is possible for a network comprising n >= 2 subsystems. Although the sum-type construction for general n > 2 has not yet been reduced to a readily computable condition, we obtain a simple condition of iISS small gain in the case of n = 2. It is demonstrated that the max-type construction fails to offer a Lyapunov function if the network contains subsystems which are not input-to-state stable (ISS). (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.