Conditions for convergence of random coefficient AR(1) processes and perpetuities in higher dimensions

Abstract: A $d$-dimensional RCA(1) process is a generalization of the $d$-dimensional AR(1) process, such that the coefficients ${M_t;t=1,2,\ldots}$ are i.i.d. random matrices. In the case $d=1$, under a nondegeneracy condition, Goldie and Maller gave necessary and sufficient conditions for the convergence in distribution of an RCA(1) process, and for the almost sure convergence of a closely related sum of random variables called a perpetuity. We here prove that under the condition $\Vert {\prod_{t=1}^nM_t}\Vert \stackrel{\mathrm{a.s.}}{\longrightarrow}0$ as $n\to\infty$, most of the results of Goldie and Maller can be extended to the case $d>1$. If this condition does not hold, some of their results cannot be extended.