Zeros of continuous-time linear periodic systems

Zeros of continuous-time linear periodic systems are defined and their properties investigated. Under the assumption that the system has uniform relative degree, the zero-dynamics of the system is characterized and a closed-form expression of the blocking inputs is derived. This leads to the definition of zeros as unobservable characteristic exponents of a suitably defined periodic pair. The zeros of periodic linear systems satisfy blocking properties that generalize the well-known time-invariant case. Finally, an efficient computational scheme is provided that essentially amounts to solving an eigenvalue problem.