On exponential stability of switched functional differential equations with average dwell-time.

We present a novel approach to the exponential stability of switched functional differential equations. Our approach does not involve Lyapunov functions. It is simple and based upon spectral properties of Metzler matrices, a comparison principle and the average dwell-time technique. Consequently, some new explicit criteria for the exponential stability of switched functional differential equations are derived. Some illustrative examples are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]