Sliding mode on tangential sets of Filippov systems

Abstract: We consider piecewise smooth vector fields $Z=(Z_+, Z_-)$ defined in $\mathbb{R}^n$ where both vector fields are tangent to the switching manifold $\Sigma$ along a submanifold $M\subset \Sigma$. We shall see that, under suitable assumptions, Filippov convention gives rise to a unique sliding mode on $M$, governed by what we call the {\it tangential sliding vector field}. Here, we will provide the necessary and sufficient conditions for characterizing such a vector field. Additionally, we prove that the tangential sliding vector field is conjugated to the reduced dynamics of a singular perturbation problem arising from the Sotomayor-Teixeira regularization of $Z$ around $M$. Finally, we analyze several examples where tangential sliding vector fields can be observed, including a model for intermittent treatment of HIV.