Controllability and reachability criteria for switched linear systems (Q1614295)

Switched finite-dimensional continuous-time linear control systems with unconstrained controls are considered. The fundamental concepts of controllability and reachability are introduced and analyzed. Using geometrical and algebraic methods, several results concerning global controllability and global reachability in a given interval of time are formulated and proved. Observability and determinability are also discussed. Simple numerical examples which illustrate the theoretical considerations are given. The complete geometric characterizations of controllability and reachability sets are also presented. Moreover, several remarks and comments concerning controllability and reachability are given. It should be pointed out that similar problems have been considered in the paper [\textit{Z. Sun} and \textit{D. Zheng}, IEEE Trans. Autom. Control 46, 291-295 (2001; Zbl 0992.93006)].