Distributed H ∞ consensus of multi-agent systems : A performance region-based approach

This article addresses the distributed H _∞ consensus problem of multi-agent systems with general linear node dynamics using relative output measurements. The notion of H _∞ consensus performance region is first introduced and then analysed as a basis for the protocol design. A new kind of distributed observer-type H _∞ protocols is further proposed. Theoretical analysis indicates that the distributed H _∞ consensus problem can be solved if and only if the coupling strength of the protocol belongs to the H _∞ performance region of the closed-loop network. Finally, some numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.