On Controllability of Switched Linear Systems

This paper investigates the number of switchings and design of switching sequences for controllability of switched linear systems. Two related results are established. One is a new constructive approach to designing switching sequences. The controllable state set of each switching sequence designed via the approach coincides with the controllable subspace of switched linear systems. The other is a well-estimated value for the minimum number of switchings required for controllability. Each state in the controllable subspace can be steered to origin within this value of switching times.