Outer synchronization of fractional-order complex dynamical networks

The outer synchronization between two complex dynamical networks with fractional-order chaotic nodes is studied. A new fractional-order controller for outer synchronization of complex networks is presented. And some new sufficient synchronization criteria are proposed based on the LaSalle invariance principle and the Lyapunov stability theory. This method can apply to arbitrary fractional-order complex networks in which the coupling-configuration matrix and the inner-coupling matrix are not assumed to be symmetric or irreducible. It means that this method is more general and effective. Numerical simulations of three fractional-order complex networks demonstrate the universality and the effectiveness of the proposed method. (C) 2016 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.