Output-Feedback Synchronizability of Linear Time-Invariant Systems

Abstract: The paper studies the output-feedback synchronization problem for a network of identical, linear time-invariant systems. A criterion to test network synchronization is derived and the class of output-feedback synchronizable systems is introduced and characterized by sufficient and necessary conditions. In particular it is observed that output-feedback stabilizability is sufficient but not necessary for output-feedback synchronizability. In the special case of single-input single-output systems, conditions are derived in the frequency domain. The theory is illustrated with several examples.