Multifunctions of bounded variation

Consider control systems described by a differential equation with a control term or, more generally, by a differential inclusion with velocity set F(t,x)F(t,x). Certain properties of state trajectories can be derived when it is assumed that F(t,x)F(t,x) is merely measurable w.r.t. the time variable t  . But sometimes a refined analysis requires the imposition of stronger hypotheses regarding the time dependence. Stronger forms of necessary conditions for minimizing state trajectories can be derived, for example, when F(t,x)F(t,x) is Lipschitz continuous w.r.t. time. It has recently become apparent that significant addition properties of state trajectories can still be derived, when the Lipschitz continuity hypothesis is replaced by the weaker requirement that F(t,x)F(t,x) has bounded variation w.r.t. time. This paper introduces a new concept of multifunctions F(t,x)F(t,x) that have bounded variation w.r.t. time near a given state trajectory, of special relevance to control. We provide an application to sensitivity analysis.