Exponential synchronization of neural networks with discrete and distributed delays under time-varying sampling

Multistability and fixed-time multisynchronization of switched neural networks with state-dependent switching rules

This paper presents theoretical results on the multistability and fixed-time synchronization of switched neural networks with multiple almost-periodic solutions and state-dependent switching rules. It is shown herein that the number, location, and stability of the almost-periodic solutions of the switched neural networks can be characterized by making use of the state-space partition. Two sets of sufficient conditions are derived to ascertain the existence of 3n exponentially stable almost-periodic solutions. Subsequently, this paper introduces the novel concept of fixed-time multisynchronization in switched neural networks associated with a range of almost-periodic parameters within multiple stable equilibrium states for the first time. Based on the multistability results, it is demonstrated that there are 3n synchronization manifolds, wherein n is the number of neurons. Additionally, an estimation for the settling time required for drive-response switched neural networks to achieve synchronization is provided. It should be noted that this paper considers stable equilibrium points (static multisynchronization), stable almost-periodic orbits (dynamical multisynchronization), and hybrid stable equilibrium states (hybrid multisynchronization) as special cases of multistability (multisynchronization). Two numerical examples are elaborated to substantiate the theoretical results.

Saturated and asymmetric saturated control for projective synchronization of inertial neural networks with delays and discontinuous activations through matrix measure method

The projective synchronization work presented in this article is focused on a class of nonlinear discontinuous coupled inertial neural networks with mixed time-varying delays and a cluster topological structure. The synchronization problem for discontinuous coupled inertial neural networks with clustering topology is examined in consideration with the mismatched parameters and the mutual influence among various clusters. To determine the required conditions for network convergence under the influence of an extensive range of impulses, the matrix measure technique and the average impulsive intervals are employed. To illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical findings, graphical representation of varied impulsive ranges for multiple cases are provided using numerical simulations.

Reachable Set Estimation for Markovian Jump Neutral-Type Neural Networks With Time-Varying Delays

The reachable set estimation problem for a class of Markovian jump neutral-type neural networks (MJNTNNs) with bounded disturbances and time-varying delays is tackled in this article. With the aid of the delay partitioning method, a novel stochastic Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional containing triple integral terms is constructed in mode-dependent augmented form. To begin with, transition probabilities of the concerned Markovian jump neural networks (NNs) are considered to be completely known. By employing the integral inequality approach and reciprocally convex combination method, it is proved that all state trajectories which start from the origin by bounded inputs can be constrained by an ellipsoid-like set if a group of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) is feasible. Then, the free-connection weighting matrix technique is utilized to handle the case of partially known transition probabilities. As byproducts, some sufficient conditions are also obtained to guarantee the stochastic stability of the concerned NNs. The validity of the theoretical analysis is confirmed by numerical simulations.

Finite- and Fixed-Time Cluster Synchronization of Nonlinearly Coupled Delayed Neural Networks via Pinning Control

In this article, the cluster synchronization problem for a class of the nonlinearly coupled delayed neural networks (NNs) in both finite- and fixed-time cases are investigated. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory and pinning control strategy, some criteria are provided to ensure the cluster synchronization of the nonlinearly coupled delayed NNs in both finite-and fixed-time aspects. Then, the settling time for stabilization that is dependent on the initial value and independent of the initial value is estimated, respectively. Finally, we illustrate the feasibility and practicality of the results via a numerical example.

Synchronization of Stochastic Complex Dynamical Networks Subject to Consecutive Packet Dropouts

This paper studies the modeling and synchronization problems for stochastic complex dynamical networks subject to consecutive packet dropouts. Different from some existing research results, both probability characteristic and upper bound of consecutive packet dropouts are involved in the proposed approach of controller design. First, an error dynamical network with stochastic and bounded delay is established by step-delay method, where the randomness of the bounded delay can be verified later by the probability theory method. A new modeling method is introduced to reflect the probability characteristic of consecutive packet dropouts. Based on the proposed model, some sufficient conditions are proposed under which the error dynamical network is globally exponentially synchronized in the mean square sense. Subsequently, a probability-distribution-dependent controller design procedure is then proposed. Finally, two numerical examples with simulations are provided to validate the analytical results and demonstrate the less conservatism of the proposed model method.

Sampled-Data-Based H∞ Synchronization of Switched Coupled Neural Networks

This paper investigates the sampled-data-based H_∞ synchronization problem for a class of switched coupled neural networks subject to exogenous perturbations. Different from the existing results on the nonswitched and continuous-time control cases, the unmatched phenomena between the switching of the system models and that of the controllers will occur, when the resulting error system switches within a sampling interval. In the framework of time-dependent switching mechanism, sufficient conditions for the existence of the sampled-data controllers are derived under the variable sampling and asynchronous switching. We prove that the proposed method not only renders the synchronization error system exponentially stable but also constrains the influence of the exogenous perturbations on the synchronization performance at a specified level. Finally, a switched coupled cellular neural network and a switched coupled Hopfield neural network are provided to illustrate the applicability and validity of the developed results.

Energy-to-Peak State Estimation for Switched Neutral-Type Neural Networks With Sector Condition via Sampled-Data Information

In this article, the energy-to-peak state estimation problem is investigated for a class of switched neutral neural networks subject to the external perturbations with bounded energy. Both the values of the measurement outputs and switching signal of the subsystems are only available for the controllers at the discrete sampling instants. Unlike the results for nonswitched neural networks, the coexistence of the switching and sampling actions directly causes the asynchronous phenomena between the indexes of subsystems and their corresponding controllers. To address this situation, the piecewise time-dependent Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and slow switching mechanism are introduced. Under the developed theorem conditions, we prove that the designed state estimator exponentially tracks the true value of the neural state with the accessible sampled-data information. Also, the influence of the exogenous perturbations on the peak value of the estimation error is constrained at a prescribed level. Finally, a neutral cellular neural network with switching parameters is employed to substantiate the effectiveness and applicability of the theoretical results.

Nonfragile Finite-Time Synchronization for Coupled Neural Networks With Impulsive Approach

This article addresses the problem of the average stochastic finite-time synchronization (ASFTS) for a set of coupled neural networks (NNs) with energy-bounded noises. Due to the channel capacity constraint, the impulsive approach is introduced so as to cut down the communication times among the leader NNs and the follower NNs. Then, a nonfragile controller is designed to improve the robustness of the controller with randomly occurred uncertainty. The sufficient conditions that guarantee the ASFTS of the coupled NNs and the leader NNs are achieved. The boundary of the synchronization error is also obtained by constructing the monotonic increasing functions. Finally, the controller gains are given based on the derived conditions, and their effectiveness is illustrated by a numerical example.

Prespecified-time synchronization of switched coupled neural networks via smooth controllers

This paper considers the prespecified-time synchronization issue of switched coupled neural networks (SCNNs) under some smooth controllers. Different from the traditional finite-time synchronization (FTS), the synchronization time obtained in this paper is independent of control gains, initial values or network topology, which can be pre-set as to the task requirements. Moreover, unlike the existing nonsmooth or even discontinuous FTS control strategies, the new proposed control protocols are fully smooth, which abandon the common fractional power feedbacks or signum functions. Finally, two illustrative examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.

Relaxed Stability Criteria for Neural Networks With Time-Varying Delay Using Extended Secondary Delay Partitioning and Equivalent Reciprocal Convex Combination Techniques

This article investigates global asymptotic stability for neural networks (NNs) with time-varying delay, which is differentiable and uniformly bounded, and the delay derivative exists and is upper-bounded. First, we propose the extended secondary delay partitioning technique to construct the novel Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, where both single-integral and double-integral state variables are considered, while the single-integral ones are only solved by the traditional secondary delay partitioning. Second, a novel free-weight matrix equality (FWME) is presented to resolve the reciprocal convex combination problem equivalently and directly without Schur complement, which eliminates the need of positive definite matrices, and is less conservative and restrictive compared with various improved reciprocal convex inequalities. Furthermore, by the present extended secondary delay partitioning, equivalent reciprocal convex combination technique, and Bessel-Legendre inequality, two different relaxed sufficient conditions ensuring global asymptotic stability for NNs are obtained, for time-varying delays, respectively, with unknown and known lower bounds of the delay derivative. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the superiority and effectiveness of the presented method.

Event-Based Secure Consensus of Mutiagent Systems Against DoS Attacks

This paper studies the problem of event-triggered secure consensus for multiagent systems subject to periodic energy-limited denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, where DoS attacks usually prevent agent-to-agent data transmission. The DoS attacks are assumed to occur periodically based on the time-sequence way and the period of DoS attacks and the uniform lower bound of the communication areas are predetected by some devices. Based on the above assumptions, an event-based protocol consisting of two different measurements corresponding to leader-followers and follower-follower is presented to schedule communications between agents, which can reduce the update frequency of the controller. Then, the stability of the resultant error system is analyzed to derive sufficient conditions of achieving secure consensus by employing the Lyapunov function and the inductive approach. Besides, positive low bounds on any two consecutive intervals of events generated by individual events are calculated to eliminate "Zeno behavior" under the developed triggering condition and event-triggered protocol. Simulation result is provided to verify the theoretical analysis.

Adaptive Synchronization of Reaction-Diffusion Neural Networks and Its Application to Secure Communication

This paper is mainly concerned with the synchronization problem of reaction-diffusion neural networks (RDNNs) with delays and its direct application in image secure communications. An adaptive control is designed without a sign function in which the controller gain matrix is a function of time. The synchronization criteria are established for an error model derived from master-slave models through solving the set of linear matrix inequalities derived by constructing the suitable novel Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional candidate, Green's formula, and Wirtinger's inequality. If the proposed sufficient conditions are satisfied, then the global asymptotic synchronization of the error model is guaranteed. The numerical illustrations are provided to demonstrate the validity of the derived synchronization criteria. In addition, the role of system parameters is picturized through the chaotic nature of RDNNs and those unprecedented solutions is utilized to promote better security of image transactions. As is evident, the enhancement of image encryption algorithm is designed with two levels, namely, image watermarking and diffusion process. The contributions of this paper are discussed as concluding remarks.

Exponential Synchronization and L2 -Gain Analysis of Delayed Chaotic Neural Networks Via Intermittent Control With Actuator Saturation

By using an intermittent control approach, this paper is concerned with the exponential synchronization and L₂ -gain analysis for a class of delayed master-slave chaotic neural networks subject to actuator saturation. Based on a switching strategy, the synchronization error system is modeled as a switched synchronization error system consisting of two subsystems, and each subsystem of the switched system satisfies a dwell time constraint due to the characteristics of intermittent control. A piecewise Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional depending on the control rate and control period is then introduced, under which sufficient conditions for the exponential stability of the constructed switched synchronization error system are developed. In addition, the influence of the exogenous perturbations on synchronization performance is constrained at a prescribed level. In the meantime, the intermittent linear state feedback controller can be derived by solving a set of linear matrix inequalities. More incisively, the proposed method is also proved to be valid in the case of aperiodically intermittent control. Finally, two simulation examples are employed to demonstrate the effectiveness and potential of the obtained results.

Distributed Impulsive Quasi-Synchronization of Lur'e Networks With Proportional Delay

This paper investigates the exponential synchronization of nonidentically coupled Lur'e dynamical networks with proportional delay. Since the heterogeneities existed in different Lur'e systems, quasi-synchronization rather than complete synchronization is thus discussed. Different from general time delay, the proportional delay is a type of unbounded time-varying delay, which tremendously increases the requirements on network synchronization. Based on distributed impulsive pinning control protocol and different roles that impulsive effects play, the criteria for quasi-synchronization of nonidentically coupled Lur'e dynamical networks are derived by jointly applying the delayed impulsive comparison principle, the extended formula for the variation of parameters, and the definition of an average impulsive interval. Moreover, synchronization errors for different impulsive effects with different functions are evaluated and simultaneously, the corresponding exponential convergence rates are obtained. In addition, three numerical examples are presented to illustrate the validity of the control scheme and the theoretical analysis.

Sampled-Data Control for the Synchronization of Boolean Control Networks

In this paper, we investigate the sampled-data state feedback control (SDSFC) for the synchronization of Boolean control networks (BCNs) under the configuration of drive-response coupling. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the complete synchronization of BCNs are obtained by the algebraic representations of logical dynamics. Based on the analysis of the sampling periods, we establish an algorithm to guarantee the synchronization of drive-response coupled BCNs by SDSFC. An example is given to illustrate the significance of the obtained results.

Dynamical and Static Multisynchronization of Coupled Multistable Neural Networks via Impulsive Control

This paper investigates the dynamical multisynchronization and static multisynchronization problem for delayed coupled multistable neural networks with fixed and switching topologies. To begin with, a class of activation functions as well as several sufficient conditions are introduced to ensure that every subnetwork has multiple equilibrium states. By constructing an appropriate Lyapunov function and by employing impulsive control theory and the average impulsive interval method, several sufficient conditions for multisynchronization in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) are obtained. Moreover, a unified impulsive controller is designed by means of the established LMIs. Finally, a numerical example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented impulsive control strategy.

Event-Triggered Stabilization of Neural Networks With Time-Varying Switching Gains and Input Saturation

This paper investigates the event-triggered stabilization of neural networks (NNs) subject to input saturation. The main core lies in the design of a novel controller with time-varying switching gains and the associated switching event-triggered condition (ETC). The ETC is essentially a switching between the aperiodic sampling and continuous event trigger. The control gains of the designed controller are composed of an exponentially decaying term and two gain matrices. The two gain matrices are required to be switched when the switching between the aperiodic sampling and continuous event trigger is met. By employing the generalized sector condition and switching Lyapunov function, several sufficient conditions that ensure the local exponential stability of the NNs are formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Both the exponentially decaying term and switching gains improve the feasible region of LMIs, and then they are helpful to enlarge the set of admissible initial conditions, the threshold in ETC, and the average waiting time. Together with several optimization problems, two numerical examples are employed to validate the effectiveness of our results.

A Flexible Terminal Approach to Sampled-Data Exponentially Synchronization of Markovian Neural Networks With Time-Varying Delayed Signals

This paper investigates the problem of sampled-data (SD) exponentially synchronization for a class of Markovian neural networks with time-varying delayed signals. Based on the tunable parameter and convex combination computational method, a new approach named flexible terminal approach is proposed to reduce the conservatism of delay-dependent synchronization criteria. The SD subject to stochastic sampling period is introduced to exhibit the general phenomena of reality. Novel exponential synchronization criterion are derived by utilizing uniform Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and suitable integral inequality. Finally, numerical examples are provided to show the usefulness and advantages of the proposed design procedure.

Analysis and Design of Synchronization for Heterogeneous Network

In this paper, we investigate the synchronization for heterogeneous network subject to event-triggering communication. The designed controller for each node includes reference generator (RG) and regulator. The predicted value of relative information between intermittent communication can significantly reduce the transmitted information. Based on the event triggering strategy and time-dependent threshold, all RGs can exponentially track the target trajectory. Then by the action of regulator, each node synchronizes with its RG. Meanwhile, a positive lower bound is obtained for the interevent intervals. Numerical example is given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed event triggering strategy.

Synchronization of General Chaotic Neural Networks With Nonuniform Sampling and Packet Missing: A Switched System Approach

This paper is concerned with the exponential synchronization issue of general chaotic neural networks subject to nonuniform sampling and control packet missing in the frame of the zero-input strategy. Based on this strategy, we make use of the switched system model to describe the synchronization error system. First, when the missing of control packet does not occur, an exponential stability criterion with less conservatism is established for the resultant synchronization error systems via a superior time-dependent Lyapunov functional and the convex optimization approach. The characteristics induced by nonuniform sampling can be used to the full because of the structure and property of the constructed Lyapunov functional, that is not necessary to be positive definite except sampling times. Then, a criterion is obtained to guarantee that the general chaotic neural networks are synchronous exponentially when the missing of control packet occurs by means of the average dwell-time technique. An explicit expression of the sampled-data static output feedback controller is also gained. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed new design methods is shown via two examples.

Synchronization of Hierarchical Time-Varying Neural Networks Based on Asynchronous and Intermittent Sampled-Data Control

In this brief, our purpose is to apply asynchronous and intermittent sampled-data control methods to achieve the synchronization of hierarchical time-varying neural networks. The asynchronous and intermittent sampled-data controllers are proposed for two reasons: 1) the controllers may not transmit the control information simultaneously and 2) the controllers cannot always exist at any time . The synchronization is then discussed for a kind of hierarchical time-varying neural networks based on the asynchronous and intermittent sampled-data controllers. Finally, the simulation results are given to illustrate the usefulness of the developed criteria.In this brief, our purpose is to apply asynchronous and intermittent sampled-data control methods to achieve the synchronization of hierarchical time-varying neural networks. The asynchronous and intermittent sampled-data controllers are proposed for two reasons: 1) the controllers may not transmit the control information simultaneously and 2) the controllers cannot always exist at any time . The synchronization is then discussed for a kind of hierarchical time-varying neural networks based on the asynchronous and intermittent sampled-data controllers. Finally, the simulation results are given to illustrate the usefulness of the developed criteria.

Generating Globally Stable Periodic Solutions of Delayed Neural Networks With Periodic Coefficients via Impulsive Control

This paper is dedicated to designing periodic impulsive control strategy for generating globally stable periodic solutions for periodic neural networks with discrete and unbounded distributed delays when such neural networks do not have stable periodic solutions. Two criteria for the existence of globally exponentially stable periodic solutions are developed. The first one can deal with the case where no bounds on the derivative of the discrete delay are given, while the second one is a refined version of the first one when the discrete delay is constant. Both stability criteria possess several adjustable parameters, which will increase the flexibility for designing impulsive control laws. In particular, choosing appropriate adjustable parameters can lead to partial state impulsive control laws for certain periodic neural networks. The proof techniques employed includes two aspects. In the first aspect, by choosing a weighted phase space PCα, a sufficient condition for the existence of a unique periodic solution is derived by virtue of the contraction mapping principle. In the second aspect, by choosing an impulse-time-dependent Lyapunov function/functional to capture the dynamical characteristics of the impulsively controlled neural networks, improved stability criteria for periodic solutions are attained. Three numerical examples are given to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed results.

Sampled-Data Synchronization Analysis of Markovian Neural Networks With Generally Incomplete Transition Rates

This paper investigates the problem of sampled-data synchronization for Markovian neural networks with generally incomplete transition rates. Different from traditional Markovian neural networks, each transition rate can be completely unknown or only its estimate value is known in this paper. Compared with most of existing Markovian neural networks, our model is more practical because the transition rates in Markovian processes are difficult to precisely acquire due to the limitations of equipment and the influence of uncertain factors. In addition, the time-dependent Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional is proposed to synchronize drive system and response system. By applying an extended Jensen's integral inequality and Wirtinger's inequality, new delay-dependent synchronization criteria are obtained, which fully utilize the upper bound of variable sampling interval and the sawtooth structure information of varying input delay. Moreover, the desired sampled-data controllers are obtained. Finally, two examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Cluster Synchronization on Multiple Nonlinearly Coupled Dynamical Subnetworks of Complex Networks With Nonidentical Nodes

In this paper, cluster synchronization on multiple nonlinearly coupled dynamical subnetworks of complex networks with nonidentical nodes and stochastic perturbations is studied. Based on the general leader-follower's model, an improved network structure model that consists of multiple pairs of matching subnetworks, each of which includes a leaders' subnetwork and a followers' subnetwork, is proposed. Moreover, the dynamical behaviors of the nodes belonging to the same pair of matching subnetworks are identical, while the ones belonging to different pairs of unmatched subnetworks are nonidentical. In this new setting, the aim is to design some suitable adaptive pinning controllers on the chosen nodes of each followers' subnetwork, such that the nodes in each subnetwork can be exponentially synchronized onto their reference state. Then, some cluster synchronization criteria for multiple nonlinearly coupled dynamical subnetworks of complex networks are established, and a pinning control scheme that the nodes with very large or low degrees are good candidates for applying pinning controllers is presented. Suitable adaptive update laws are used to deal with the unknown feedback gains between the pinned nodes and their leaders. Finally, several numerical simulations are given to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed approach.

Improved Stability Condition for Takagi-Sugeno Fuzzy Systems With Time-Varying Delay

In this paper, the stability analysis problem of Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy systems with time-varying delay is investigated. By utilizing the Wirtinger-based integral inequality and the improved reciprocally convex combination technique, an improved stability condition is derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities. A numerical example is given to demonstrate the efficiency of the obtained result.

Non-fragile sampled-data robust synchronization of uncertain delayed chaotic Lurie systems with randomly occurring controller gain fluctuation

This paper proposes a new non-fragile stochastic control method to investigate the robust sampled-data synchronization problem for uncertain chaotic Lurie systems (CLSs) with time-varying delays. The controller gain fluctuation and time-varying uncertain parameters are supposed to be random and satisfy certain Bernoulli distributed white noise sequences. Moreover, by choosing an appropriate Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional (LKF), which takes full advantage of the available information about the actual sampling pattern and the nonlinear condition, a novel synchronization criterion is developed for analyzing the corresponding synchronization error system. Furthermore, based on the most powerful free-matrix-based integral inequality (FMBII), the desired non-fragile sampled-data estimator controller is obtained in terms of the solution of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, three numerical simulation examples of Chua's circuit and neural network are provided to show the effectiveness and superiorities of the proposed theoretical results.

H∞ control for a class of singular systems with state time-varying delay

This paper is concerned with the H_∞ control problem for a class of singular systems. The systems under consideration involve state time-varying delay. The aim of this paper is to design a dynamic feedback controller such that the resultant closed-loop system is regular, impulse-free and stable with given H_∞ performance index. By using the Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional method, some delay-dependent sufficient criteria which guarantee the existence of the dynamic feedback controller and determine explicitly the parameters of the dynamic feedback controller are presented. Finally, some numerical examples are provided to show the effectiveness of the presented approaches.

Synchronization Control of Neural Networks With State-Dependent Coefficient Matrices

This brief is concerned with synchronization control of a class of neural networks with state-dependent coefficient matrices. Being different from the existing drive-response neural networks in the literature, a novel model of drive-response neural networks is established. The concepts of uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB) synchronization and convex hull Lyapunov function are introduced. Then, by using the convex hull Lyapunov function approach, the UUB synchronization design of the drive-response neural networks is proposed, and a delay-independent control law guaranteeing the bounded synchronization of the neural networks is constructed. All present conditions are formulated in terms of bilinear matrix inequalities. By comparison, it is shown that the neural networks obtained in this brief are less conservative than those ones in the literature, and the bounded synchronization is suitable for the novel drive-response neural networks. Finally, an illustrative example is given to verify the validity of the obtained results.

Synchronization of a Class of Switched Neural Networks with Time-Varying Delays via Nonlinear Feedback Control

This paper is concerned with the synchronization problem for a class of switched neural networks (SNNs) with time-varying delays. First, a new crucial lemma which includes and extends the classical exponential stability theorem is constructed. Then by using the lemma, new algebraic criteria of ψ -type synchronization (synchronization with general decay rate) for SNNs are established via the designed nonlinear feedback control. The ψ -type synchronization which is in a general framework is obtained by introducing a ψ -type function. It contains exponential synchronization, polynomial synchronization, and other synchronization as its special cases. The results of this paper are general, and they also complement and extend some previous results. Finally, numerical simulations are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.

Feedback Controller Design for the Synchronization of Boolean Control Networks

This brief investigates the partial and complete synchronization of two Boolean control networks (BCNs). Necessary and sufficient conditions for partial and complete synchronization are established by the algebraic representations of logical dynamics. An algorithm is obtained to construct the feedback controller that guarantees the synchronization of master and slave BCNs. Two biological examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.

Consensus of Multiagent Systems Using Aperiodic Sampled-Data Control

This paper is concerned with the consensus of multiagent systems with nonlinear dynamics through the use of aperiodic sampled-data controllers, which are more flexible than classical periodic sampled-data controllers. By input delay approach, the resulting sampled-data system is reformulated as a continuous system with time-varying delay in the control input. A continuous Lyapunov functional, which captures the information on sampling pattern, together with the free-weighting matrix method, is then used to establish a sufficient condition for consensusability. For a more general case that the sampled-data controllers are subject to constant input delays, a novel discontinuous Lyapunov functional is introduced on the basis of the vector extension of Wirtinger's inequality. This functional can lead to simplified and efficient stability conditions for computation and optimization. Further results on the estimate of maximal allowable sampling interval upper bound is given as well. Numerical example is provided to show the effectiveness and merits of the proposed protocol.