Topology design for leader-follower coherence in noisy asymmetric networks

In this paper, we aim to study the effect of the leader’s positions in leader-follower coherence quantified by the spectrum in noisy asymmetric networks with a set of hub nodes. In order to compare the impact of leader selection in different ways on the studied coherence, we choose a family of ring-trees networks to conveniently assign the leaders and hubs. Based on the regular network topology and matrix theories, we obtain analytical solutions for the leader-follower coherence regarding network parameters and the number of leaders. Using these expressions, we then obtain exact relations among the coherences and show that the leader’s positions and network parameters have a profound impact on the coherence. More specifically, the network with one hub displays better coherence than the networks with two hubs. In addition, two adjacent and nonadjacent hubs lead to distinct performance of leader-follower consensus dynamics that depends on network parameters and assigned leaders in the ring or the tree network.