Independent cycle time assignment for min-max systems

A variety of problems in digital circuits, computer networks, automated manufacturing plants, etc., can be modeled as min-max systems. The cycle time is an important performance metric of such systems. In this paper, we focus on the cycle time assignment of min-max systems which corresponds to the pole assignment problem in traditional linear control systems. For the minmax system with max-plus inputs and outputs, we show that the cycle time can be assigned disjointedly by a state feedback, if and only if the system is reachable. Furthermore, a necessary and sufficient condition for the cycle time to be assigned independently by a state feedback is given. The methods are constructive, and some numerical examples are given to illustrate how the methods work in practice. © 2010 Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.