Adaptive synchronization in tree-like dynamical networks

Synchronization in an array of coupled identical nonlinear dynamical systems have attracted increasing attention from various fields of science and engineering. In this paper, we investigate the synchronization phenomenon in tree-like dynamical networks. Based on the LaSalle invariant principle, a simple and systematic adaptive control scheme with variable coupling strength is proposed for the synchronization of tree-like dynamical networks without any knowledge of the concrete structure of isolate system. This result indicates that synchronization can be achieved for strong enough coupling if there exists a system (located at the root of the tree) which directly or indirectly influences all other systems. Furthermore, the main result is applied to several Lorenz chaotic systems coupled by a tree. And numerical simulations are also given to show the effectiveness of the proposed synchronization method. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.