A Small-Gain Theory for Abstract Systems on Topological Spaces

We develop a small-gain theory for systems described by set-valued maps between topological spaces. We introduce an abstract notion of stability unifying the continuity properties underlying different existing concepts, such as Lyapunov stability of equilibria, sets, or motions, (incremental) input–output stability, asymptotic gain properties, and continuity with respect to fast-switching inputs. Then, we prove that a feedback interconnection enjoying a given abstract small-gain property is stable. While, in general, the proposed small-gain property cannot be decomposed as the union of stability of the subsystems and a contractiveness condition, we show that it is implied by standard assumptions in the context of input-to-state stable systems. Finally, we provide application examples illustrating how the developed theory can be used for the analysis of interconnected systems and design of control systems.