Automatic Qualitative Analysis of Ordinary Differential Equations Using Piecewise Linear Approximations

This paper explores automating the qualitative analysis of physical systems. It describes a program, called PLR, that takes parameterized ordinary differential equations as input and produces a qualitative description of the solutions for all initial values. PLR approximates intractable nonlinear systems with piecewise linear ones, analyzes the approximations, and draws conclusions about the original systems. It chooses approximations that are accurate enough to reproduce the essential properties of their nonlinear prototypes, yet simple enough to be analyzed completely and efficiently. It derives additional properties, such as boundedness or periodicity, by theoretical methods. I demonstrate PLR on several common nonlinear systems and on published examples from mechanical engineering.

Piecewise Linear Models for the Quasiperiodic Transition to Chaos

We formulate and study analytically and computationally two families of piecewise linear degree one circle maps. These families offer the rare advantage of being non-trivial but essentially solvable models for the phenomenon of mode-locking and the quasi-periodic transition to chaos. For instance, for these families, we obtain complete solutions to several questions still largely unanswered for families of smooth circle maps. Our main results describe (1) the sets of maps in these families having some prescribed rotation interval; (2) the boundaries between zero and positive topological entropy and between zero length and non-zero length rotation interval; and (3) the structure and bifurcations of the attractors in one of these families. We discuss the interpretation of these maps as low-order spline approximations to the classic ``sine-circle'' map and examine more generally the implications of our results for the case of smooth circle maps. We also mention a possible connection to recent experiments on models of a driven Josephson junction.

LIMIT CYCLES of DISCONTINUOUS PIECEWISE LINEAR DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEMS

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Bifurcation of limit cycles from an n-dimensional linear center inside a class of piecewise linear differential systems

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

On the limit cycles of a class of piecewise linear differential systems in R-4 with two zones

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Piecewise linear perturbations of a linear center

This paper is mainly devoted to the study of the limit cycles that can bifurcate from a linear center using a piecewise linear perturbation in two zones. We consider the case when the two zones are separated by a straight line Σ and the singular point of the unperturbed system is in Σ. It is proved that the maximum number of limit cycles that can appear up to a seventh order perturbation is three. Moreover this upper bound is reached. This result confirms that these systems have more limit cycles than it was expected. Finally, center and isochronicity problems are also studied in systems which include a first order perturbation. For the latter systems it is also proved that, when the period function, defined in the period annulus of the center, is not monotone, then it has at most one critical period. Moreover this upper bound is also reached.

Bifurcations Leading to Nonlinear Oscillations in a 3D Piecewise Linear Memristor Oscillator

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Piecewise Linear Systems with Closed Sliding Poly-Trajectories

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

On the number of limit cycles in discontinuous piecewise linear differential systems with two pieces separated by a straight line

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

On the Limit Cycles for a Class of Continuous Piecewise Linear Differential Systems with Three Zones

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)