Nonlinear port-Hamiltonian systems and their connection to passivity

Abstract

Port-Hamiltonian (pH) systems provide a powerful tool for modeling physical systems. Their energy-based perspective allows for the coupling of various subsystems through energy exchange. Another important class of systems, passive systems, are characterized by their inability to generate energy internally. In this paper, we explore first steps towards understanding the equivalence between passivity and the feasibility of port-Hamiltonian realizations in nonlinear systems. Based on our findings, we present a method to construct port-Hamiltonian representations of a passive system if the dynamics and the Hamiltonian are known.