The set of asymptotically stable switching sequences of linear discrete-time switching systems

In this paper we study the characterization of asymptotic stability for discrete-time switched linear systems. We first translate the system dynamics into a symbolic setting under the framework of symbolic topology. Then by using the ergodic measure theory, a lower bound estimate of Hausdorff dimension of the set of asymptotically stable sequences is obtained. We show that the Hausdorff dimension of the set of asymptotically stable switching sequences is positive if and only if the corresponding switched linear system has at least one asymptotically stable switching sequence. The obtained result reveals a underlying fundamental principle: a switched linear system either possesses uncountable numbers of asymptotically stable switching sequences or has none of them, provided that the switching is arbitrary.