EN
The question how the classical definition of the Smith zeros of an LTI continuous-time singular control system can be generalized and related to state-space methods is discussed. The zeros are defined as those complex numbers for which there exists a zero direction with a nonzero state-zero direction. Such a definition allows an infinite number of zeros (then the system is called degenerate). A sufficient and necessary condition for nondegeneracy is formulated. Moreover, some characterization of invariant zeros, based on the Weierstrass-Kronecker canonical form of the system and the first nonzero Markov parameter, is obtained.