A simulation technique for checking the circle criterion (Q799635)

The paper deals with checking the \(L_ 2\)-stability of single-input single-output systems, which consists of a linear forward path and a nonlinear element in the feedback satisfying a sector constraint. For these systems, the circle criterion is well established for checking the stability. In contrast to this frequency-domain approach, the authors propose to carry out a finite number of simulations with the corresponding linear system L (averaged gain in the feedback). This procedure is established by two theorems, where (i) an estimate of the spectral radius r(L) is computed by a finite number of simulations, and (ii) it is shown that r(L) equals the induced operator norm of L in \(L_ 2(0,\infty)\). A certain problem lies in the fact that for simulations only a finite-interval can be computed. The authors give some suggestions for a suitable choice of the time-interval needed. A simple but instructive example is provided at the end of the paper to demonstrate some features of this very interesting approach.