We show how the existence of three objects, $\Omega_{ \rm trap}$, ${ \bf W}$, and $C$, for a continuous piecewise-linear map $f$ on $\mathbb{ R}^N$, implies that $f$ has a topological attractor with a positive Lyapunov exponent. First, $\Omega_{ \rm trap} \subset \mathbb{ R}^N$ is trapping region for $f$. Second, ${ \bf W}$ is a finite set of words that encodes the forward orbits of all points in $\Omega_{ \rm trap}$. Finally, $C \subset T \mathbb{ R}^N$ is an invariant expanding cone for derivatives of compositions of $f$ formed by the words in ${ \bf W}$. We develop an algorithm that identifies these objects for two-dimensional homeomorphisms comprised of two affine pieces. The main effort is in the explicit construction of $\Omega_{ \rm trap}$ and $C$. Their existence is equated to a set of computable conditions in a general way. This results in a computer-assisted proof of chaos throughout a relatively large regime of parameter space. We also observe how the failure of $C$ to be expanding can coincide with a bifurcation of $f$. Lyapunov exponents are evaluated using one-sided directional derivatives so that forward orbits that intersect a switching manifold (where $f$ is not differentiable) can be included in the analysis.
Categories: math.DS