State reconstruction in complex networks using sliding mode observers

This paper focuses on the reconstruction of complete state information in all the individual nodes of a complex network dynamical system, at a supervisory level. Sliding mode observers are designed for this purpose. The proposed network observer is inherently robust, nonlinear and can accommodate time-varying coupling strengths and switching topologies, provided the number of nodes remain fixed. At the supervisory level, decentralised control signals are computed based on the state estimates in order to operate the network of dynamical systems in synchrony. A network of Chua circuits with six nodes is used to demonstrate the novelty of the proposed approach.