A generalisation of the nonlinear small-gain theorem for systems with abstract initial conditions

We consider the development of a general nonlinear small-gain theorem for systems with abstract initial conditions. Systems are defined in a set theoretic manner from input-output pairs on a doubly infinite time axis, and a general construction of the initial conditions (i.e. a state at time zero) is given in terms of an equivalence class of trajectories on the negative time axis. By using this formulation, an ISS-type nonlinear small-gain theorem is established with complete disconnection between the stability property and the existence, uniqueness properties. We provide an illustrative example.