Variation of phase volume in control systems with discontinuous characteristics (Q798602)

The method of sources proposed by \textit{V. P. Zukhov} [Autom. Remote Control 40, 330-335 (1979; Zbl 0417.93057)] is extended. Zukhov derived instability conditions for nonlinear systems described by the mathematical model \(\dot x=f(x,t)\). The system function f(x,t) is considered as a vector field in the n-dimensional state space. The sign of the divergence (the sources) of this vector field is used to proof instability. For the application of this criterion smoothness assumptions on f(x,t) are necessary. The author extends this concept to nonlinear systems with variable structure by investigating the ''phase flow'' of the vector field. Three special cases depending on the system behaviour near the dwitching surface are considered.