Dynamics in a delayed-neural network (Q2468157)

The following delay-differential system is considered \[ \dot x_j(t)=-x_j(t) +\alpha f(x_j(t-\tau_s)) + \beta\left[ g(x_{j-1}(t-\tau_1))+g(x_{j+1}(t-\tau_1)) \right] + \gamma h(x_{j+2}(t-\tau_2)), \] where the index \(j\) is considered modulo 4 and the functions \(f,g,h\) vanish at zero. \(\tau_s\), \(\tau_1\), and \(\tau_2\) are positive time delays. First, the authors consider the stability problem of the equilibrium \(x_j=0\). They provide sufficient conditions for global and local stability. Also, they give conditions for pitchfork and Hopf bifurcations and compute the coefficients of normal forms for these bifurcations. Finally, assuming \(\tau_1=\tau_2\), conditions for synchronization, i.e. conditions for stability of the manifold \(x_1=x_2=x_3=x_4\), are given.