On the spectrum of discrete time-varying linear systems

In this paper, we investigate the influence of small perturbations of the coefficients of discrete time-varying linear systems on the Lyapunov exponents. For that purpose we introduce the concepts of central exponents of the system and we show that these exponents describe the possible changes in the Lyapunov exponents under small perturbations. Finally, we present several formulas for the central exponents in terms of the transition matrix of the system and the so-called upper sequences. The results are illustrated by numerical examples.