The Complex Behavior of Switching Devices

Switching elements are an essential part of many devices widely used in applications. For instance, appropriate switching circuits are used in power electronics to achieve the conversion of electrical energy from one form to another [1]. Also, in many areas of engineering, relay devices are often used to synthesize feedback strategies able to achieve a desired control goal [2]. Other examples come from mechanical and electromechanical vibro-impacting machines [3]. Recently, it has been pointed out that even simple switching systems can exhibit a plethora of complicated dynamical regimes. The occurrence of several bifurcations including the transition to fully developed chaotic behavior has