Controllability of Fractional Complex Networks

Abstract

Controllability is a fundamental issue in the field of fractional complex network control, yet it has not received adequate attention in the past. This paper is dedicated to exploring the controllability of complex networks involving the Caputo fractional derivative. By utilizing the Cayley–Hamilton theorem and Laplace transformation, a concise proof is given to determine the controllability of linear fractional complex networks. Subsequently, leveraging the Schauder Fixed-Point theorem, controllability Gramian matrix, and fractional calculus theory, we derive controllability conditions for nonlinear fractional complex networks with a weighted adjacency matrix and Laplacian matrix, respectively. Finally, a numerical method for the controllability of fractional complex networks is obtained using Matlab (2021a)/Simulink (2021a). Three examples are provided to illustrate the theoretical results.