Bipartite Consensus for Second-Order Multiagent Systems With Matrix-Weighted Signed Network

The second-order scalar-weighted consensus problem of multiagent systems has been well explored. However, in some practical antagonistic interaction networks, the interdependencies of multidimensional states of the agents must be described by matrix coupling. In order to highlight the influence of matrix coupling in the antagonistic interaction network, we investigate the second-order matrix-weighted bipartite consensus problem on undirected structurally balanced signed networks. Under the proposed bipartite consensus protocol, an algebraic condition is obtained for achieving second-order bipartite consensus via utilizing matrix-valued Gauge transformation and stability theory. Then, using the obtained criteria, a more direct algebraic graph condition is given for reaching bipartite consensus. Besides, because of the existence of negative (positive) semidefinite connections, the matrix-weighted network may have clustering phenomena, which means that matrix weights play a critical role in achieving consensus. An algebraic graph condition for admitting cluster bipartite consensus is provided. By designing matrix weights in practical scenarios, the required number of clusters can be obtained. Finally, the theoretical results are verified by five simulation examples.