On the input-output representation of piecewise affine state space models

This paper addresses the conversion of discrete-time piecewise affine (PWA) state space models into input-output form. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of equivalent input-output representations of a given PWA state space model are derived. Connections to the observability properties of PWA models are investigated. Under a technical assumption, it is shown that every finite-time observable PWA model admits an equivalent input-output representation. When an equivalent input-output model exists, a constructive procedure is presented to derive its equations. Several examples illustrate the proposed results.