Practical Fixed‐Time Synchronization of Multi‐Layer Complex Networks With Time Delay and Its Application to Power Systems

ABSTRACT In this article, the practical fixed‐time synchronization (PFXTS) issue of multi‐layer complex networks (MCNs) with time delay is explored under quantized aperiodically intermittent control (QAIC). This analysis integrates both intra‐layer and inter‐layer connections, offering a more comprehensive framework that is rarely addressed in existing discussions on network synchronization. In contrast to earlier studies, this article considers a QAIC relying on the average control rate, which lowers the conservatism of the research results. With the aid of graph theory, differential inequality and Lyapunov method, some sufficient criteria for achieving PFXTS of MCNs are derived, which are strongly correlated with the topological structure of MCNs. Ultimately, the validity and feasibility of the theory are confirmed by applying the theoretical results to practical power systems.