Global asymptotic stability of a class of feedback neural networks with an application to optimization problems

By applying results from homotopy theory, new conditions are obtained for the existence and uniqueness of an equilibrium for a class of continuous-time feedback neural networks which contains the Hopfield model as a special case. Next, new criteria are established for the global asymptotic stability of the unique equilibrium of this class of neural networks by utilizing Lur'e-type Lyapunov functions and the stability theory for systems of differential inequalities. Several practical stability testing conditions are given. As a special case, criteria are derived for the global asymptotic stability of Hopfield neural networks. This is followed by a robustness analysis of the class of neural networks considered. The results obtained are then applied to an optimization problem.