Invariance under discretization for positive systems

Abstract

Positive dynamical or control systems have all their variables nonnegative. Euler discretization transforms a continuous-time system into a system on a discrete time scale. Some structural properties of the system may be preserved by discretization, while other may be lost. Four fundamental properties of positive systems are studied in the context of discretization: positivity, positive stability, positive reachability and positive observability. Both linear and nonlinear systems are investigated.