Synchronization analysis of linearly coupled systems described by differential equations with a coupling delay (Q2433849)

The authors consider the linearly coupled system of delay-differential equations \[ \frac{dx_i(t)}{dt} = f(x_i(t)) + c \sum_{j=1,j\neq i}^{m}a_{ij} \Gamma [x_j(t-\tau)-x_i(t)], \] where \(i=1,\dots,m\), \(x_i(t)\in \mathbb{R}^n\) denotes the state variable of the \(i\)th node, \(\Gamma=\mathrm{diag} \{ \gamma_1,\dots,\gamma_n\}\) is the inner connection matrix with \(\gamma_j\geq 0\) and \(a_{ij}\geq 0\) for all \(i\) and \(j\). Main results of the paper concern the conditions of complete synchronization, i.e., conditions for the following asymptotic behavior: \(\lim_{t\to \infty} | x_j(t)-x_i(t)| =0\) for all \(i\) and \(j\). In particular, the authors extend the master stability function methodology due to \textit{L. M. Pecora, T. L. Carroll, G. A. Johnson, D. J. Mar} and \textit{J. F. Heagy} [Chaos 7, 520--543 (1997; Zbl 0933.37030)] and the methodology used by \textit{W. Lu} and \textit{T. Chen} [Physica D 213, 214--230 (2006; Zbl 1105.34031)] to delay systems.