An Integro-differential Operator Approach to Linear Differential Systems

In this paper, we initiate a new algebraic analysis approach to linear differential systems based on rings of integro-differential operators. Within this algebraic analysis approach, we first interpret the method of variations of constants as an operator identity. Using this result, we show that the module associated with a state-space representation of a linear system is the same as the one associated with its standard convolution representation. This finitely presented module over the ring of integro-differential operators is proved to be stably free. Finally, we show how the reachability property can be expressed within this algebraic analysis approach.