New approach to synchronization in asymmetrically coupled networks

Abstract

Global exponentially synchronization in asymmetrically coupled networks is investigated in this Letter. We extend eigenvalue based method to synchronization in symmetrically coupled network to synchronization in asymmetrically coupled network. A new stability criterion of eigenvalue based is derived. In this criterion, both a term that is the second largest eigenvalue of a symmetrical matrix and a term that is the largest value of sum of column of asymmetrical coupling matrix play a key role. Comparing with existing results, the advantage of our synchronization stability result is that it can analytical be applied to the asymmetrically coupled networks and overcome the complexity on calculating eigenvalues of coupling asymmetric matrix. Therefore, this condition is very convenient to use. Moreover, a necessary condition of this synchronization stability criterion is also given by the elements of the coupling asymmetric matrix, which can conveniently be used in judging the synchronization stability condition without calculating the eigenvalues of coupling matrix. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.