ABSTRACT
Hybrid systems are heterogeneous dynamical systems, the behaviors of which are determined by interacting continuous variables and discrete switching logics [1,2]. By heterogeneity, wemean hybrid systems containing two different kinds of dynamics. One is time-driven continuous variable dynamics, usually described by differential or difference equations; the other is event-driven discrete logic dynamics, whose evolutions depend on “if-then-else” type of rules andmay be described by automata or Petri nets. In addition, these two kinds of dynamics interact with each other and generate complex dynamical behaviors, such as switching once certain continuous variable passes through a threshold, or state jumping when certain discrete event occurs. As a simple example, the temperature regulation in an air-conditioned room can be considered as a hybrid system; the room temperature evolution forms the continuous variable dynamics following thermophysical laws, whereas the on-off evolution of the air conditioner can be modeled as a discrete event process.
