The problem of constructing discontinuity surfaces in variable structu
re systems is studied from a Lyapunov point of view, A switching surfa
ce determined by the control coefficient matrix and the associated Lya
punov function is able to ensure asymptotic stability for the system i
n sliding mode. The proposed method may also be used for systems with
nonlinear dynamics and for linear systems with delays. Copyright (C) 1
996 Elsevier Science Ltd.