Synchronization of networks

We study the synchronization of coupled dynamical systems on networks. The dynamics is governed by a local nonlinear oscillator for each node of the network and interactions connecting different nodes via the links of the network. We consider existence and stability conditions for both single- and multi-cluster synchronization. For networks with time-varying topology we compare the synchronization properties of these networks with the corresponding time-average network. We find that if the different coupling matrices corresponding to the time-varying networks commute with each other then the stability of the synchronized state for both the time-varying and the time-average topologies are approximately the same. On the other hand, for non-commuting coupling matrices the stability of the synchronized state for the time-varying topology is in general better than the time-average topology.      

Synchronization in complex networks with switching topology

This Letter investigates synchronization issues of complex dynamical networks with switching topology. By constructing a common Lyapunov function, we show that local and global synchronization for a linearly coupled network with switching topology can be evaluated by the time average of second smallest eigenvalues corresponding to the Laplacians of switching topology. This result is quite powerful and can be further used to explore various switching cases for complex dynamical networks. Numerical simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained results in the end.     

Global synchronization in arrays of coupled networks with one single time-varying delay coupling

Global synchronization in arrays of coupled networks with one single time-varying delay coupling is investigated in this Letter. A general linear coupled network with a time-varying coupling delay is proposed and its global synchronization is further discussed. Some sufficient criteria are derived based on Lyapunov functional and linear matrix inequality (LMI). It is shown that under one single delay coupling, the synchronized state changes, which is different from the conventional synchronized solution. Moreover, the degree of the nodes and the inner delayed coupling matrix play key roles in the synchronized state. In particular, the derivative of the time-varying delay can be any given value. Finally, numerical simulations are given to illustrate the theoretical results.     

Adaptive approach to global synchronization of directed networks with fast switching topologies

Global synchronization of directed networks with switching topologies is investigated. It is found that if there exists at least one directed spanning tree in the network with the fixed time-average topology and the time-average topology is achieved sufficiently fast, the network will reach global synchronization for appreciate coupling strength. Furthermore, this appreciate coupling strength may be obtained by local adaptive approach. A sufficient condition about the global synchronization is given. Numerical simulations verify the effectiveness of the adaptive strategy.     

Global Synchronization of Directed Networks with Fast Switching Topologies

Global synchronization of a class of directed dynamical networks with switching topologies is investigated. It is found that if there is a directed spanning tree in the fixed time-average of network topology and the time-average is achieved sufficiently fast, then the network will reach global synchronization for sufficiently large coupling strength.     

Consensus of leader-followers system of multi-missile with time-delays and switching topologies

The consensus problem in directed networks with arbitrary finite time-varying communication delays under both fixed topology and switching topologies is investigated in this article. The dynamics of each missile in this leader-followers system is with linear form. Feedback linearization is used here to attain linear guidance law for each missile, which is the base law for cooperative. Based on graph theory, the consensus problem can be converted to the stability of corresponding error system. Then Lyapunov function method is used to analyze the stability of the error system. Consensus of networks with time-delays under switching topologies is proved using common Lyapunov function method. Simulations indicate the excellent performances of the algorithms in terms of accuracy and efficiency.     

Synchronization in complex networks by time-varying couplings

Synchronization in networks of complex topologies using couplings of time-varying strength is numerically investigated. The time-dependencies of coupling strengths are coupled to the dynamics of the nodes in a way to enhance synchronization. By time-varying couplings, oscillators are found to take quite a short time to reach synchronization state when the couplings are relatively strong. Even when a nearly regular networks of large-size with few shortcuts is difficult to be synchronized by fixed couplings, the time-varying couplings can easily enhance the emergence of synchronization.     

Synchronization of bursting neurons: what matters in the network topology

We study the influence of coupling strength and network topology on synchronization behavior in pulse-coupled networks of bursting Hindmarsh-Rose neurons. Surprisingly, we find that the stability of the completely synchronous state in such networks only depends on the number of signals each neuron receives, independent of all other details of the network topology. This is in contrast with linearly coupled bursting neurons where complete synchrony strongly depends on the network structure and number of cells. Through analysis and numerics, we show that the onset of synchrony in a network with any coupling topology admitting complete synchronization is ensured by one single condition.     

Leader-following formation control of multi-agent networks based on distributed observers

To investigate the leader-following formation control, in this paper we present the design problem of control protocols and distributed observers under which the agents can achieve and maintain the desired formation from any initial states, while the velocity converges to that of the virtual leader whose velocity cannot be measured by agents in real time. The two cases of switching topologies without communication delay and fixed topology with time-varying communication delay are both considered for multi-agent networks. By using the Lyapunov stability theory, the issue of stability is analysed for multi-agent systems with switching topologies. Then, by considering the time-varying communication delay, the sufficient condition is proposed for the multi-agent systems with fixed topology. Finally, two numerical examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed leader-following formation control protocols.     

Average consensus in networks of multi-agents with both switching topology and coupling time-delay

This paper is devoted to the study of the average-consensus problem in directed networks of agents with both switching topology and time-delay. The stability analysis is performed based on a proposed Lyapunov-Krasovskii function. Sufficient conditions in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) are given to guarantee the average consensus under arbitrary switching of the network topology even if the time-delay is time-varying. Numerical simulations show the effectiveness of our theoretical results.     

Mixed outer synchronization of coupled complex networks with time-varying coupling delay

In this paper, the problem of outer synchronization between two complex networks with the same topological structure and time-varying coupling delay is investigated. In particular, we introduce a new type of outer synchronization behavior, i.e., mixed outer synchronization (MOS), in which different state variables of the corresponding nodes can evolve into complete synchronization, antisynchronization, and even amplitude death simultaneously for an appropriate choice of the scaling matrix. A novel nonfragile linear state feedback controller is designed to realize the MOS between two networks and proved analytically by using Lyapunov-Krasovskii stability theory. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of our proposed control approach.     

Dynamic synchronization of a time-evolving optical network of chaotic oscillators

We present and experimentally demonstrate a technique for achieving and maintaining a global state of identical synchrony of an arbitrary network of chaotic oscillators even when the coupling strengths are unknown and time-varying. At each node an adaptive synchronization algorithm dynamically estimates the current strength of the net coupling signal to that node. We experimentally demonstrate this scheme in a network of three bidirectionally coupled chaotic optoelectronic feedback loops and we present numerical simulations showing its application in larger networks. The stability of the synchronous state for arbitrary coupling topologies is analyzed via a master stability function approach.     

Random delays and the synchronization of chaotic maps

We investigate the dynamics of an array of chaotic logistic maps coupled with random delay times. We report that for adequate coupling strength the array is able to synchronize, in spite of the random delays. Specifically, we find that the synchronized state is a homogeneous steady state, where the chaotic dynamics of the individual maps is suppressed. This synchronization behavior is largely independent of the connection topology and depends mainly on the average number of links per node. We carry out a statistical linear stability analysis that confirms the numerical results and provides a better understanding of the nontrivial roles of random delayed interactions.     

Global synchronization in lattices of coupled chaotic systems

Based on the concept of matrix measures, we study global stability of synchronization in networks. Our results apply to quite general connectivity topology. In addition, a rigorous lower bound on the coupling strength for global synchronization of all oscillators is also obtained. Moreover, by merely checking the structure of the vector field of the single oscillator, we shall be able to determine if the system is globally synchronized.     

Understanding the enhanced synchronization of delay-coupled networks with fluctuating topology

We study the dynamics of networks with coupling delay, from which the connectivity changes over time. The synchronization properties are shown to depend on the interplay of three time scales: the internal time scale of the dynamics, the coupling delay along the network links and time scale at which the topology changes. Concentrating on a linearized model, we develop an analytical theory for the stability of a synchronized solution. In two limit cases, the system can be reduced to an “effective” topology: in the fast switching approximation, when the network fluctuations are much faster than the internal time scale and the coupling delay, the effective network topology is the arithmetic mean over the different topologies. In the slow network limit, when the network fluctuation time scale is equal to the coupling delay, the effective adjacency matrix is the geometric mean over the adjacency matrices of the different topologies. In the intermediate regime, the system shows a sensitive dependence on the ratio of time scales, and on the specific topologies, reproduced as well by numerical simulations. Our results are shown to describe the synchronization properties of fluctuating networks of delay-coupled chaotic maps.     

Novel criteria for exponential synchronization of inner time-varying complex networks with coupling delay

This paper mainly investigates the exponential synchronization of an inner time-varying complex network with coupling delay. Firstly, the synchronization of complex networks is decoupled into the stability of the corresponding dynamical systems. Based on the Lyapunov function theory, some sufficient conditions to guarantee its stability with any given convergence rate are derived, thus the synchronization of the networks is achieved. Finally, the results are illustrated by a simple time-varying network model with a coupling delay. All involved numerical simulations verify the correctness of the theoretical analysis.     

Delays, connection topology, and synchronization of coupled chaotic maps

We consider networks of coupled maps where the connections between units involve time delays. We show that, similar to the undelayed case, the synchronization of the network depends on the connection topology, characterized by the spectrum of the graph Laplacian. Consequently, scale-free and random networks are capable of synchronizing despite the delayed flow of information, whereas regular networks with nearest-neighbor connections and their small-world variants generally exhibit poor synchronization. On the other hand, connection delays can actually be conducive to synchronization, so that it is possible for the delayed system to synchronize where the undelayed system does not. Furthermore, the delays determine the synchronized dynamics, leading to the emergence of a wide range of new collective behavior which the individual units are incapable of producing in isolation.