Abstract
The controllability and observability of composite time-varying linear systems are studied. These systems are obtained by connecting time-varying linear finite dimensional systems in parallel, in tandem, or in feedback loop.
Emphasis is placed on the preservation of controllability and observability of time-varying linear systems. The controllability and obervability matrices which do not require knowledge of the transition matrix are used.
The conditions for composite systems to be totally controllable (observable) provide significant structural information of composite systems.
In addition, the equivalence of the controllability and observability of a feedback connection to that of a tandem connection is established.
