Distributed Optimization Based on a Multiagent System in the Presence of Communication Delays

In this paper, distributed optimization is addressed based on a continuous-time multiagent system in the presence of time-varying communication delays. First, the relationship between optimal solutions and the equilibrium points of the multiagent system with time delay is revealed. Next, delay-dependent and delay-independent sufficient conditions in form of linear matrix inequality are derived for ascertaining convergence to optimal solutions, in the cases of slow-varying delay and fast-varying delay. Furthermore, a set of conditions are also obtained for the delay-free case. In addition, a sampled-data communication scheme is presented based on the conditions for the fast varying delay systems. Simulation results are presented to substantiate the theoretical results. An application for distributed parameter estimation is also given.