Broadcasting protocols for coordinating nonlinear network systems

We propose a new methodology to design broadcasting protocols for coordinating nonlinear network systems. Our design of the scheduling of information transmission is based on the introduction of clock variables, whose dynamics are regulated through a suitable storage function. Required clock dynamics, ensuring stability, follow then elegantly from Lyapunov like arguments. For illustrative purposes, we first consider an example of a consensus algorithm, whereafter we discuss a distributed integral controller in feedback interconnection to a network composed of output strictly incrementally passive subsystems. Finally, we show how the proposed method can be used to redesign a popular distributed controller in power grids, enabling a sampled-data implementation.