Fixed-time consensus for multi-agent systems under directed and switching interaction topology

In this paper, we address the fixed-time consensus problem for multi-agent systems in networks with directed and switching interaction topology. With the introduction of mirror operation, two global distributed nonlinear consensus protocols are constructed for each first-order agent under strongly connected information flow. The distinctive feature of this paper is to address the explicit bounds of the finite settling time for both protocols are independent of initial condition, which makes it possible for network consensus problems of a multi-agent team with guaranteed convergence time. Further, the second protocol is valid for the networks of multi-agents with switching topology provided that the sum of time intervals, in which the information flow is strongly connected, is larger than the estimated upper-bound for settling time. Finally, simulations are provided to demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of our theoretical results.