Solutions properties and the extension of classical rank controllability criterion for higher order linear descriptor matrix differential systems

The aim of this paper is two fold. First, we want to discuss the solution properties of higher order linear descriptor matrix differential systems. Secondly, we want to extend the classical matrix rank criterion for the controllability of first order to higher order linear descriptor matrix differential systems. This criterion has been chosen and studied, since it is a typical property and requirement for many modern control systems while at the same time it emerges in a plethora of different control science applications.