Coupled network systems (CNSs) consist of many small, inexpensive agents, in which each agent is capable of collecting signals, processing information, and communicating with neighboring agents. Due to their wide applications in many fields including mobile sensor networks and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, CNSs have attracted many researchers from different areas of sciences and technologies, ranging from mathematics and physics to computer science. Node collaboration is the key for the success of CNSs due to the fact that each node itself is limited by communication range, power, and processing ability. In the process of the nodes’ signal exchanging, an interesting aspect of the dynamics in CNSs is that certain types of globally collective behavior emerge from local interactions among the nodes. Such behavior arises ubiquitously in biological systems, ecosystems, and physical systems.
This special issue focuses on the dynamics of coupled network systems with their collective behavior and engineering applications, and it aims to bring together the most recent developments and knowledge in some related fields. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, (a) synchronization of complex dynamical networks, (b) consensus of multiagent systems, (c) stochastic resonance and some other collective behaviors, (d) network analysis and control, (e) social network analysis, and (f) network applications in different areas.
The response to this special issue on Coupled Network Systems and Their Collective Behavior was beyond our expectation. We received 38 papers in this research fields. All manuscripts submitted to this special issue went through a rigorous peer-refereeing process. Based on the reviewers’ reports, twenty-four original research articles are finally accepted. The contents embrace the synchronization of complex networks under different constraints, Gossip consensus algorithm, Cucker-Smale flocking analysis, dynamic average consensus, and application of ranking algorithms on crime busting model.
It is certainly impossible to provide in this short editorial a more comprehensive description for all articles in this special issue. However, the guest editors sincerely hope that our efforts by compiling these articles can enrich our readers and inspire researchers with regard to the seemingly common but actually important issue of coupled network systems.
Acknowledgments
The guest editors would like to thank the authors who submitted papers for consideration and the reviewers whose comments are important for us to make the decisions. All the participants have made it possible to have a very stimulating interchange of ideas. Many thanks are also due to the editorial board members of this journal owing to their great support and help for this special issue.
Jinde Cao
Jianquan Lu
Ahmed Elaiw
Xinsong Yang
Qiankun Song