The set of stable switching sequences for discrete-time linear switched systems

In this paper we study the characterization of the asymptotical stability for discrete-time switched linear systems. We first translate the system dynamics into a symbolic setting under the framework of symbolic topology. Then by using the ergodic measure theory, a lower bound estimate of Hausdorff dimension of the set of asymptotically stable sequences is obtained. We show that the Hausdorff dimension of the set of asymptotically stable switching sequences is positive if and only if the corresponding switched linear system has at least one asymptotically stable switching sequence. The obtained result reveals an underlying fundamental principle: a switched linear system either possesses uncountable numbers of asymptotically stable switching sequences or has none of them, provided that the switching is arbitrary. We also develop frequency and density indexes to identify those asymptotically stable switching sequences of the system. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.