Parameter mismatches, variable delay times and synchronization in time-delayed systems (Q2483621)

The authors consider unidirectionally coupled systems with delay and parameter mismatch \[ \begin{aligned} x' &= -\alpha_1 x + k_1 f(x(t-\tau_1)),\\ y'& = -\alpha_2 y + k_2 f(y(t-\tau_1)) + k_3 x(t-\tau_2), \end{aligned} \] where \(\tau_1,\tau_2>0\) are time delays, and \(\alpha_1,\alpha_2\) relaxation coefficients. For such configuration, the manifold of retarded synchronization \(y(t)=x(t-\tau_2)\) is shown to exist if \(k_1=k_2\) and \(\alpha_2-\alpha_1=k_3\). Linear stability analysis gives the following condition for the local stability of the manifold: \(\alpha_2>| k_1 f'(x(t-\tau_1-\tau_2))| \). This result is also generalized to the case with variable delay. Finally, the approach is illustrated by using examples (Ikeda and Mackey-Glass systems).