On the Cucker-Smale ensemble with \(q\)-closest neighbors under time-delayed communications (Q2197880)

The model of a ``flock'' with variable bounded time delays between neighbors is considered, described by \[ \displaylines{\dot{x}_i = v_i\ ,\ t>0\ ,\ i=1,\ldots,N\cr \dot{v}_i = \kappa\sum_{j=1}^Na_{ij}(x(t-\tau_{ij}(t)))v_j(t-\tau_{ij}(t))} \] with \(\tau_{ij}:\mathbb R^+\mapsto [0,\tau]\) -- continuous functions, \(\tau_{ii}\equiv 0\). The authors also consider a discrete time variant. Define the diameters \[ \displaystyle{D(x) = \max_{i,j}|x_i-x_j|\ ,\ D(v) = \max_{i,j}|v_i-v_j|} \] and the ``asymptotic flocking'' as simultaneous fulfilment of \[ \displaystyle{\lim_{t\rightarrow\infty}D(v(t))=0\ ,\ \sup_{0\leq t<\infty}D(x(t))<\infty.} \] Two theorems of sufficient conditions for exponential flocking are given -- for continuous time and discrete time, respectively.