Differential Dissipativity Theory for Dominance Analysis

High-dimensional systems that have a low-dimensional dominant behavior allow for model reduction and simplified analysis. We use differential analysis to formalize this important concept in a nonlinear setting. We show that dominance can be studied through linear dissipation inequalities and an interconnection theory that closely mimics the classical analysis of stability by means of dissipativity theory. In this approach, stability is seen as the particular situation where the dominant behavior is 0-dimensional. The generalization opens novel tractable avenues to study multistability through 1-dominance and limit cycle oscillations through 2-dominance.