On Synchronization Errors in Networked Feedback Systems

This paper addresses the problem of synchronization errors and their effects on feedback loops that are closed over communication networks. It is assumed that the feedback loop consists of two discrete-time systems, the clock frequency ratio of which has a special rational form, and is close to one. A Toeplitz matrix approach is taken to model the input/output relationship of the arising feedback systems. Based on this representation, the effect of synchronization errors on stability of the feedback systems is analyzed. It is shown that stability of the synchronized feedback loop can not guarantee stability of the loop in the presence of synchronization errors. Necessary and sufficient stability conditions are derived