Finite-/Fixed-Time Stability of Nonautonomous Functional Differential Inclusion: Lyapunov Approach Involving Indefinite Derivative

This article investigates a type of nonautonomous delayed differential equation (DDE) with discontinuity. Under the framework of the Filippov state solution, the finite-time stability (FNTS)/fixed-time stability (FXTS) problems of nonautonomous functional differential inclusion (FDI) are studied via the generalized Lyapunov functional method. The generalized Lyapunov functional used in this article is allowed to obtain an indefinite time derivative almost anywhere (a.a.) along the system’s state solutions. Nevertheless, the classic Lyapunov functional requires that its time derivative retains seminegative/negative definiteness anywhere. As a result, novel FNTS and FXTS criteria of the trivial state solution for FDI are established. Moreover, the settling time (ST) of FNTS/FXTS is provided. Then, the developed Lyapunov functional approach is applied to realize the finite-/fixed-time stabilization control of delayed neuron networks (DNNs) possessing discontinuous activation and ball motion models. The proposed method and results concerning FNTS/FXTS are of great significance in neural network (NN)/mechanical control engineering applications.