Persistent Synchronization of Heterogeneous Networks with Time-Dependent Linear Diffusive Coupling

We study synchronization for linearly coupled temporal networks of heterogeneous time-dependent nonlinear agents via the convergence of attracting trajectories of each node. The results are obtained by constructing and studying the stability of a suitable linear nonautonomous problem bounding the evolution of the synchronization errors. Both the case of the entire network and that of only a cluster are addressed, and the persistence of the obtained synchronization against perturbation is also discussed. Furthermore, a sufficient condition for the existence of attracting trajectories of each node is given. In all cases, the considered dependence on time requires only local integrability, which is a very mild regularity assumption. Moreover, our results mainly depend on the network structure and its properties and achieve synchronization up to a constant in finite time. Hence they are quite suitable for applications. The applicability of the results is showcased via several examples: coupled van der Pol/FitzHugh-Nagumo oscillators, weighted/signed opinion dynamics, and coupled Lorenz systems.