Controllability and observability for a linear time varying system with piecewise constant delay (Q2352161)

Controllability and observability are studied for linear systems described by differential equations with piecewise constant arguments and time-varying coefficients. Such problems can be interpreted in terms of delay differential systems or controlled ordinary differential systems, but there are some significant differences that the authors use when they get their results. The variation of parameters formula for the equation is a key tool in the study. The controllability and observability main criteria are expressed in terms of some matrices which are calculated through the Cauchy matrix for the unperturbed equation. Some useful corollaries for particular cases are presented. For the time-invariant case, the results of the paper allow us to obtain not only the classical conditions of controllability and observability, but also new ones. Two simple illustrative examples are given.