Robust stability of uncertain second-order linear time-varying systems

This paper is concerned with robust stability analysis of second-order linear time-varying (SLTV) systems with time-varying uncertainties (perturbations). With the specific Lyapunov functions, a simple and neat algebraic criterion for testing uniformly asymptotic stability of SLTV systems are derived. Without transformation to a system of first-order equations, the new conditions are imposed directly on the time-varying coefficient matrices of the system. The main feature of the proposed algebraic criterion is that the uncertain coefficient matrices are time-varying and not necessarily symmetric. Finally, the proposed stability conditions are used to design the extending space structures system of the spacecraft. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the convenience and effectiveness of the proposed method.