Canonical forms for linear differential-algebraic equations with variable coefficients (Q1893561)

A new set of local characterizing quantities for the treatment of linear time varying differential algebraic equations, \(E(t) x'(t)= A(t) x(t)+ f(t)\), are introduced and analyzed. These quantities are used to derive new global invariances which in turn lead to a generalization of the (global) differentiation index. New existence and uniqueness theorems are also derived. Numerical software based on this approach has recently become available.