Output Reachable Set Estimation for Switched Linear Systems and Its Application in Safety Verification

This paper addresses the output reachable set estimation problem for continuous-time switched linear systems consisting of Hurwtiz stable subsystems. Based on a common Lyapunov function approach, the output reachable set is estimated by a union of bounding ellipsoids. Then, multiple Lyapunov functions with time-scheduled structure are employed to estimate the output reachable set for switched systems under dwell-time constraint. Furthermore, the safety verification problem of uncertain switched systems is investigated based on the result of output reachable set estimation. First, a sufficient condition ensuring the existence of an approximate bisimulation relation between two switched linear systems with a prescribed precision is proposed. Then, the safety verification for an uncertain switched system can be performed through an alternative safety verification for a switched system with exact parameters. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate our results.