Formal Specifications for Hybrid Dynamical Systems

Abstract

Modeling abstractions in physical systems result in hybrid models which encompass continuous behaviors with discrete changes, causing discontinuities in system behavior generation which violate the physical laws of conservation of energy and continuity of power. This paper develops a formal specification for handling discrete model configuration changes at well-defined points in time, and a consistent transfer of the continuous system state from a previous model con guration to a new one based on the principle of invariance of state. Simulation algorithms designed to operate on hybrid models define behavior generation schemes that operate on the interval (continuous) to point (discrete) to interval (continuous) switches on the time line.