Nonstandard finite difference methods preserving general quadratic Lyapunov functions

Abstract: In this work, we consider a class of dynamical systems described by ordinary differential equations under the assumption that the global asymptotic stability (GAS) of equilibrium points is established based on the Lyapunov stability theory with the help of quadratic Lyapunov functions. We employ the Micken's methodology to construct a family of explicit nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) methods preserving any given quadratic Lyapunov function $V$, i.e. they admit $V$ as a discrete Lyapunov function. Here, the proposed NSFD methods are derived from a novel non-local approximation for the zero vector function. Through rigorous mathematical analysis, we show that the constructed NSFD methods have the ability to preserve any given quadratic Lyapunov functions regardless of the values of the step size. As an important consequence, they are dynamically consistent with respect to the GAS of continuous-time dynamical systems. On the other hand, the positivity of the proposed NSFD methods is investigated. It is proved that they can also preserve the positivity of solutions of continuous-time dynamical systems. Finally, the theoretical findings are supported by a series of illustrative numerical experiments, in which advantages of the NSFD methods are demonstrated.