Covering relations and Lyapunov condition for topological conjugacy

Abstract

In this paper, we study stability of non-autonomous discrete dynamical systems. For a two-sided non-autonomous systems with covering relations determined by a transition matrix A, we show that any small C-0 perturbed system has a sequence of compact invariant sets restricted to which the system is topologically semi-conjugate to sigma(A), the two-sided subshift of finite type induced by A. Together with Lyapunov condition of good rate, the semi-conjugacy will become conjugacy. Moreover, if the Lyapunov condition is strict and has perfect rate, then any small C-1 perturbed systems is topological conjugate to sigma(A). We also study topological chaos of one-sided systems and systems with limit functions. Lack of hyperbolicity and the time dependence of the rate prevent us from applying classical hyperbolic results or earlier works for autonomous systems: cone condition and Lyapunov function. Two examples are provided to demonstrate the existence of a non-trivial, non-hyperbolic invariant and essential of controlling rate.