An algorithm for finding the zero crossing of time signals with Lipschitzean derivatives

Abstract This paper deals with an efficient global optimization algorithm enabling to find the first root from the left of an equation o ( t ) = 0, where t ϵ [ a , b ], o ( a ) > 0, assuming the time function o ( t ) has Lipschitzean derivatives. Two theorems establish the necessary conditions for finding the first root from the left and convergence of the algorithm. The algorithm can be adopted for finding the switching times of networks with internally controlled switches, such as analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, or power converters. Examples showing the general applicability and accuracy of the new algorithm are given and the results of a comparison with other methods are presented.