Synchronization and Applications of Piecewise Recursive Sequences with Dynamic Thresholds

Abstract: We investigate piecewise recursive sequences where both the sequence and its switching threshold evolve dynamically. We consider coupled evolution: $a_{n+1} = f(a_n)$ if $a_n \leq c_n$, otherwise $a_{n+1} = g(a_n)$, with threshold $c_{n+1} = h(a_n, c_n)$. Our analysis reveals that when an orbit switches between regimes infinitely often and both sequences converge, they appear to converge to the same limit (Common Limit Theorem). For linear systems, we identify five possible dynamical behaviors: convergence, bistability, periodic orbits, spirals, and chaos. We explore convergence conditions using contraction principles and monotone threshold evolution, though examples suggest that component-wise contraction may be insufficient. An application to central bank monetary policy offers one possible explanation for the observed convergence of inflation and intervention criteria above target.