Synchronization for general complex dynamical networks with sampled-data

In this paper, the sampled-data synchronization control problem is investigated for a class of general complex networks with time-varying coupling delays. A rather general sector-like nonlinear function is used to describe the nonlinearities existing in the network. By using the method of converting the sampling period into a bounded time-varying delay, the addressed problem is first transformed to the problem of stability analysis for a differential equation with multiple time-varying delays. Then, by constructing a Lyapunov functional and using Jensen's inequality, a sufficient condition is derived to ensure the exponential stability of the resulting delayed differential equation. Based on that, the desired sampled-data feedback controllers are designed in terms of the solution to certain linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) that can be solved effectively by using available software. Finally, a numerical simulation example is exploited to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed sampled-data control scheme. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.