Model checking polygonal differential inclusions using invariance kernels

Abstract

Polygonal hybrid systems are a subclass of planar hybrid automata which can be represented by piecewise constant differential inclusions. Here, we identify and compute an important object of such systems’ phase portrait, namely invariance kernels. An invariant set is a set of initial points of trajectories which keep rotating in a cycle forever and the invariance kernel is the largest of such sets. We show that this kernel is a non-convex polygon and we give a non-iterative algorithm for computing the coordinates of its vertices and edges. Moreover, we present a breadth-first search algorithm for solving the reachability problem for such systems. Invariance kernels play an important role in the algorithm.