Multiblock problems for almost periodic matrix functions of several variables (Q5943977)

This paper is an elaborate study of certain highly specialized problems in the theory of almost periodic functions (matrices). The motivation comes from fruitful applications of these matrices in control theory. It is worth mentioning that the spaces of almost periodic functions involved in the constructions displayed in the paper are spaces of almost periodic functions of \(k\) real variables \((t_1,t_2,\dots, t_k)= t\). The space \(AP^k\) is the closure in \(L^\infty\) of the linear manifold generated by the functions \(\exp\{i(\lambda,t)\}\), where \(\lambda= (\lambda_1,\lambda_2,\dots, \lambda_k)\in R^k\). By completing \(AP^k\) with respect to the norm induced by the inner product of almost periodic functions (formed by using the mean value of such functions), one obtains the Besicovitch space of almost periodic functions. Other similar spaces are introduced and briefly investigated, in order to discuss what the authors call ``the positive multiblock problem'', ``the contractive st-block problem'' and other topics: such as ``model matching'' or providing an example of multiblocks with more general patterns. A basic feature of the investigation is the reliance on such concepts as factorization of matrices, the spectrum of an almost periodic function, the subalgebras of the algebra of almost periodic functions. For instance, the Wiener algebra \(APW^k\) consists of the elements of \(AP^k\), whose Fourier series is absolutely convergent. The elements of this subalgebra play an important role in the factorization problem. Applications are provided to the theory of discrete control systems, with particular emphasis on the case \(k=2\).