Leader-follower synchronization for complex dynamical networks via sampled-data control

This paper is concerned with leader-follower synchronization of complex dynamical networks with sampled-data control. By sampling the signal from the leader at some discrete time instants and using a zero-order hold function, synchronization is achieved between the network and a desired orbit, known as the leader. By applying Lyapunov functional approach and the property of the network topology matrix, a delay-dependent criterion is derived. It is shown that synchronization of N coupled dynamical systems with a leader can be recast into the stability of N decoupled systems, in which eigenvalues of the network topology matrix are involved. Finally, a chaotic neural network is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.