On the uniform exponential stability of linear time-delay systems (Q1777865)

Due to the apparent conceptual convenience, linear ODE-s with delay are analyzed in the framework of a linear normed space (Banach's). Except for the more `erudite' terminology, no results are obtained which are not already reported in the treatise of \textit{E. Kamke} [Differentialgleichungen, Bd. 1, Leipzig (1943; Zbl 0028.22702)], \textit{A. D. Myshkis} [Linear differential equations with retarded argument (Russian) (Gosudarstv. Izdat. Techn.-Teor. Lit., Moscow-Leningrad) (1951; Zbl 0043.30904)] and \textit{N. N. Krasovskii} (Moscow 1952). Lyapunov has advised that the mathematics ought to be adapted to the applied problem at hand, and not vice-versa. In the applied context a ``Binsenweisheit'' states that the more doctrinaire the approach, the less information it contains on a concrete problem. Whenever the ODEs are such that their `memory' can be cleared, except at \(t= 0\), then the most convenient space is that of non-quasianalytic functions. The Laplace transformation (eventually generalized), permits thus to algebraize the problem. The singularities of the algebraic equations define both the stability of the sought solution, and permit to construct it (which the Banach space approach does not). In fact, an inverse is assured by a theorem of \textit{J. Mikusinski} [Operatorenrechnung (Monografie Matematyczne, Tom 30, Warszawa: Polskie Towarzystwo Matematyczne) (1953; Zbl 0053.08502)], even if the full solution contains measures (Dirac-`functions') and distributions. When the memory of the ODE-s cannot be cleared, then one reliable way is the determination of the eigenfunctions of the ODE-s with delay. If the initial functions, describing the ineffacable memory, are integrable, then they can be expressed by means of those eigenfunctions [\textit{F. Schürer}, Über die Funktional-Differentialgleichung \(f'(x+ 1)= af(x)\), Leipz. Ber. 64, 167--236 (1912; JFM 43.0416.01)], and so can be the solution of the ODEs. The asymptotics depend then on the notion of convergence, which cannot be duplicated by a norm.