Synchronization in small-world systems

We quantify the dynamical implications of the small-world phenomenon by considering the generic synchronization of oscillator networks of arbitrary topology. The linear stability of the synchronous state is linked to an algebraic condition of the Laplacian matrix of the network. Through numerics and analysis, we show how the addition of random shortcuts translates into improved network synchronizability. Applied to networks of low redundancy, the small-world route produces synchronizability more efficiently than standard deterministic graphs, purely random graphs, and ideal constructive schemes. However, the small-world property does not guarantee synchronizability: the synchronization threshold lies within the boundaries, but linked to the end of the small-world region.     

Synchronizability of dynamical scale-free networks subject to random errors

In this paper the robustness of network synchronizability against random deletion of nodes, i.e. errors, in dynamical scale-free networks was studied. To this end, two measures of network synchronizability, namely, the eigenratio of the Laplacian and the order parameter quantifying the degree of phase synchrony were adopted, and the synchronizability robustness on preferential attachment scale-free graphs was investigated. The findings revealed that as the network size decreases, the robustness of its synchronizability against random removal of nodes declines, i.e. the more the number of randomly removed nodes from the network, the worse its synchronizability. We also showed that this dependence of the synchronizability on the network size is different with that in the growing scale-free networks. The profile of a number of network properties such as clustering coefficient, efficiency, assortativity, and eccentricity, as a function of the network size was investigated in these two cases, growing scale-free networks and those with randomly removed nodes. The results showed that these processes are also different in terms of these metrics.     

Chaos synchronization in networks of coupled maps with time-varying topologies

Complexity of dynamical networks can arise not only from the complexity of the topological structure but also from the time evolution of the topology. In this paper, we study the synchronous motion of coupled maps in time-varying complex networks both analytically and numerically. The temporal variation is rather general and formalized as being driven by a metric dynamical system. Four network models are discussed in detail in which the interconnections between vertices vary through time randomly. These models are: 1) i.i.d. sequences of random graphs with fixed wiring probability, 2) groups of graphs with random switches between the individual graphs, 3) graphs with temporary random failures of nodes, and 4) the meet-for-dinner model where the vertices are randomly grouped. We show that the temporal variation and randomness of the connection topology can enhance synchronizability in many cases; however, there are also instances where they reduce synchronizability. In analytical terms, the Hajnal diameter of the coupling matrix sequence is presented as a measure for the synchronizability of the graph topology. In topological terms, the decisive criterion for synchronization of coupled chaotic maps is that the union of the time-varying graphs contains a spanning tree.     

Synchronizability of network ensembles with prescribed statistical properties

It has been shown that synchronizability of a network is determined by the local structure rather than the global properties. With the same global properties, networks may have very different synchronizability. In this paper, we numerically studied, through the spectral properties, the synchronizability of ensembles of networks with prescribed statistical properties. Given a degree sequence, it is found that the eigenvalues and eigenratios characterizing network synchronizability have well-defined distributions, and statistically, the networks with extremely poor synchronizability are rare. Moreover, we compared the synchronizability of three network ensembles that have the same nodes and average degree. Our work reveals that the synchronizability of a network can be significantly affected by the local pattern of connections, and the homogeneity of degree can greatly enhance network synchronizability for networks of a random nature.     

Rewiring dynamical networks with prescribed degree distribution for enhancing synchronizability

In this paper, we present an algorithm for enhancing synchronizability of dynamical networks with prescribed degree distribution. The algorithm takes an unweighted and undirected network as input and outputs a network with the same node-degree distribution and enhanced synchronization properties. The rewirings are based on the properties of the Laplacian of the connection graph, i.e., the eigenvectors corresponding to the second smallest and the largest eigenvalues of the Laplacian. A term proportional to the eigenvectors is adopted to choose potential edges for rewiring, provided that the node-degree distribution is preserved. The algorithm can be implemented on networks of any sizes as long as their eigenvalues and eigenvectors can be calculated with standard algorithms. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in enhancing the network synchronizability is revealed by numerical simulation on a number of sample networks including scale-free, Watts-Strogatz, and Erdo?s-Re?nyi graphs. Furthermore, a number of network's structural parameters such as node betweenness centrality, edge betweenness centrality, average path length, clustering coefficient, and degree assortativity are tracked as a function of optimization steps.     

Are networks with more edges easier to synchronize,or not？

In this paper, the relationship between network synchronizability and the edge-addition of its associated graph is investigated. First, it is shown that adding one edge to a cycle definitely decreases the network synchronizability. Then, since sometimes the synchronizability can be enhanced by changing the network structure, the question of whether the networks with more edges are easier to synchronize is addressed. Based on a subgraph and complementary graph method, it is shown by examples that the answer is negative even if the network structure is arbitrarily optimized. This reveals that generally there are redundant edges in a network, which not only make no contributions to synchronization but actually may reduce the synchronizability. Moreover, a simple example shows that the node betweenness centrality is not always a good indicator for the network synchronizability. Finally, some more examples are presented to illustrate how the network synchronizability varies following the addition of edges, where all the examples show that the network synchronizability globally increases but locally fluctuates as the number of added edges increases.     

Error and attack tolerance of synchronization in Hindmarsh–Rose neural networks with community structure

Synchronization is one of the most important features observed in large-scale complex networks of interacting dynamical systems. As is well known, there is a close relation between the network topology and the network synchronizability. Using the coupled Hindmarsh–Rose neurons with community structure as a model network, in this paper we explore how failures of the nodes due to random errors or intentional attacks affect the synchronizability of community networks. The intentional attacks are realized by removing a fraction of the nodes with high values in some centrality measure such as the centralities of degree, eigenvector, betweenness and closeness. According to the master stability function method, we employ the algebraic connectivity of the considered community network as an indicator to examine the network synchronizability. Numerical evidences show that the node failure strategy based on the betweenness centrality has the most influence on the synchronizability of community networks. With this node failure strategy for a given network with a fixed number of communities, we find that the larger the degree of communities, the worse the network synchronizability; however, for a given network with a fixed degree of communities, we observe that the more the number of communities, the better the network synchronizability.     

簇间连接方式不同的簇网络的同步过程研究

本文对簇间连接方式不同的三类簇网络的同步能力和同步过程进行研究. 构成簇网络的两个子网均为BA无标度网络, 当簇间连接方式是双向耦合时, 称其为TWD网络模型, 当簇间连接是大子网驱动小子网时, 称其为BDS网络模型, 当簇间连接是小子网驱动大子网时, 称其为SDB网络模型. 研究表明, 当小子网和大子网节点数目的比值大于某一临界值时, TWD网络模型的同步能力大于BDS网络模型的同步能力, 当该比值小于某一临界值时, TWD网络模型的同步能力小于BDS网络模型的同步能力, SDB网络模型的同步能力是三种网络结构中最差的. 对于簇间连接具有方向性的单向驱动网络, 簇网络的整体同步能力与被驱动子网的节点数和簇间连接数有关, 与驱动网络自身节点数无关. 增加簇间连接数在开始时会降低各子网的同步速度, 但最终各子网到达完全同步的时间减少, 网络的整体同步能力增强. 文中以Kuramoto相振子作为网络节点, 研究了不同情况下三种簇网络的同步过程, 证明了所得结论的正确性. 关键词： 簇网络 有向连接 同步能力 Kuramoto振子     

Synchronization in evolving snowdrift game model

The interaction between the evolution of the game and the underlying network structure with evolving snowdrift game model is investigated. The constructed network follows a power-law degree distribution typically showing scale-free feature. The topological features of average path length, clustering coefficient, degree-degree correlations and the dynamical feature of synchronizability are studied. The synchronizability of the constructed networks changes by the interaction. It will converge to a certain value when sufficient new nodes are added. It is found that initial payoffs of nodes greatly affect the synchronizability. When initial payoffs for players are equal, low common initial payoffs may lead to more heterogeneity of the network and good synchronizability. When initial payoffs follow certain distributions, better synchronizability is obtained compared to equal initial payoff. The result is also true for phase synchronization of nonidentical oscillators.     

Synchronizability of small-world networks generated from ring networks with equal-distance edge additions

This paper investigates the impact of edge-adding number m and edge-adding distance d on both synchronizability and average path length of NW small-world networks generated from ring networks via random edge-adding. It is found that the synchronizability of the network as a function of the distance d is fluctuant and there exist some d that have almost no impact on the synchronizability and may only scarcely shorten the average path length of the network. Numerical simulations on a network of Lorenz oscillators confirm the above results. This phenomenon shows that the contributions of randomly added edges to both the synchronizability and the average path length are not uniform nor monotone in building an NW small-world network with equal-distance edge additions, implying that only if appropriately adding edges when building up the NW small-word network can help enhance the synchronizability and/or reduce the average path length of the resultant network. Finally, it is shown that this NW small-world network has worse synchronizability and longer average path length, when compared with the conventional NW small-world network, with random-distance edge additions. This may be due to the fact that with equal-distance edge additions, there is only one shortcut distance for better information exchange among nodes and for shortening the average path length, while with random-distance edge additions, there exist many different distances for doing so.     

Cluster synchronization in networks of distinct groups of maps

In this paper, we study cluster synchronization in general bi-directed networks of nonidentical clusters, where all nodes in the same cluster share an identical map. Based on the transverse stability analysis, we present sufficient conditions for local cluster synchronization of networks. The conditions are composed of two factors: the common inter-cluster coupling, which ensures the existence of an invariant cluster synchronization manifold, and communication between each pair of nodes in the same cluster, which is necessary for chaos synchronization. Consequently, we propose a quantity to measure the cluster synchronizability for a network with respect to the given clusters via a function of the eigenvalues of the Laplacian corresponding to the generalized eigenspace transverse to the cluster synchronization manifold. Then, we discuss the clustering synchronous dynamics and cluster synchronizability for four artificial network models: (i) p-nearest-neighborhood graph; (ii) random clustering graph; (iii) bipartite random graph; (iv) degree-preferred growing clustering network. From these network models, we are to reveal how the intra-cluster and inter-cluster links affect the cluster synchronizability. By numerical examples, we find that for the first model, the cluster synchronizability regularly enhances with the increase of p, yet for the other three models, when the ratio of intra-cluster links and the inter-cluster links reaches certain quantity, the clustering synchronizability reaches maximal.     

Average Range and Network Synchronizability

The influence of structural properties of a network on the network synchronizability is studied by introducing a new concept of average range of edges. For both small-world and scale-free networks, the effect of average range on the synchronizability of networks with bounded or unbounded synchronization regions is illustrated through numerical simulations. The relations between average range, range distribution, average distance, and maximum betweenness are also explored, revealing the effects of these factors on the network synchronizability of the small-world and scale-free networks, respectively.     

Synchronizability of stochastic network ensembles in a model of interacting dynamical units

Synchronization is an important phenomenon which occurs in the dynamics of complex systems. Synchronized states emerge both from an adjustment of the system parameters and from an application of a proper external stimulus. In the present paper we study synchronized activity in a neural network model whose dynamics is driven by an external activation. In this context we are interested in its synchronizability, i.e. the existence of inputs causing the model system to synchronize. Furthermore, we investigate global synchronizability properties of stochastic network structure ensembles (instead of single realizations of a network architecture). We study the small world network, a model of preferential linking structure, and the classical Erd?s-Renyi random graph as particular examples of network topologies. Their synchronizability properties are investigated by analytical arguments and numerical simulations. Our analysis shows the emergence of synchronizable states of network ensembles for a wide range of the parameter values. In addition we observe and study the transition behaviour from synchronizability to nonsynchronizability.     

最优的Newman-Watts网络与遍历网络的同步

在Hindmarsh-Rose神经元动力系统中研究了Newman-Watts （NW）网络的同步,给出了一些最优同步网络的拓扑结构. 数值结果表明：NW网络的同步能力主要由耦合点在耦合空间的分布决定,耦合点分布均匀的NW网络一般具有较强的同步能力;在给定连边数的情况下,可能存在多个结构不同的最优同步网络,最优同步网络具有最强的同步能力、均匀的度分布和较好的对称性,但是其对称性不一定是最好的. 最优同步网络一般是非规则网络,但在少数情况下,规则网络也有可能是最优同步网络. 提出了一种新的网络——遍历网络,该网络具有最优同步网络的特点和很强的同步能力. 关键词： Newman-Watts网络 对称度 耦合空间 同步     

两层星形网络的特征值谱及同步能力

多层网络是当今网络科学研究的一个前沿方向.本文深入研究了两层星形网络的特征值谱及其同步能力的问题.通过严格导出的两层星形网络特征值的解析表达式,分析了网络的同步能力与节点数、层间耦合强度和层内耦合强度的关系.当同步域无界时,网络的同步能力只与叶子节点之间的层间耦合强度和网络的层内耦合强度有关;当叶子节点之间的层间耦合强度比较弱时,同步能力仅依赖于叶子节点之间的层间耦合强度;而当层内耦合强度比较弱时,同步能力依赖于层内耦合强度;当同步域有界时,节点数、层间耦合强度和层内耦合强度对网络的同步能力都有影响.当叶子节点之间的层间耦合强度比较弱时,增大叶子节点之间的层间耦合强度会增强网络的同步能力,而节点数、中心节点之间的层间耦合强度和层内耦合强度的增大反而会减弱网络的同步能力;而当层内耦合强度比较弱时,增大层内耦合强度会增强网络的同步能力,而节点数、层间耦合强度的增大会减弱网络的同步能力.进一步,在层间和层内耦合强度都相同的基础上,讨论了如何改变耦合强度更有利于同步.最后,对两层BA无标度网络进行数值仿真,得到了与两层星形网络非常类似的结论.     

Synchronizability of Highly Clustered Scale-Free Networks

We consider the effect of clustering coefficient on the synchronizability of coupled oscillators located on scale-free networks. The analytic result for the value of clustering coefficient aiming at a highly clustered scale-free network model, the Holme-Kim model is obtained, and the relationship between network synchronizability and clustering coefficient is reported. The simulation results strongly suggest that the more clustered the network, the poorer the synchronizability.     

Synchronization in power-law networks

We consider realistic power-law graphs, for which the power-law holds only for a certain range of degrees. We show that synchronizability of such networks depends on the expected average and expected maximum degree. In particular, we find that networks with realistic power-law graphs are less synchronizable than classical random networks. Finally, we consider hybrid graphs, which consist of two parts: a global graph and a local graph. We show that hybrid networks, for which the number of global edges is proportional to the number of total edges, almost surely synchronize.     

加权方式对网络同步能力的影响

针对真实网络中权值与端点度的相关特性,提出了一种与始点和终点的度 都相关的非对称加权方式.在不同的网络结构下研究加权方式对同步能力的影响. 研究发现网络异质性越强时,通过调节网络权值改变网络同步能力的效果越显著, 而网络越匀质时,调节权值的方式改变网络同步能力的效果越不明显. 仿真实验显示无论在小世界网络还是无标度网络中,网络都是在节点的输入强度为1处获得最优的同步能力.     

Optimizing Synchronizability of Scale-Free Networks in Geographical Space

We investigate the relationship between the structure and the synchronizability of scale-free networks in geographical space. With an optimization approach, the numerical results indicate that when the network synchronizability is improved, the geographical distance becomes larger while the maximal load decreases. Thus the maximal betweenness can be a candidate factor that affects the network synchronizability both in topological space and in geographical space.