A general unified approach to chaos synchronization in continuous-time systems (with or without equilibrium points) as well as in discrete-time systems

By analyzing the issue of chaos synchronization, it can be noticed the lack of a general approach, which would enable any type of synchronization to be achieved. Similarly, there is the lack of a unified method for synchronizing both continuous-time and discrete-time systems via a scalar signal. This paper aims to bridge all these gaps by presenting a novel general unified framework to synchronize chaotic (hyperchaotic) systems via a scalar signal. By exploiting nonlinear observer design, the approach enables any type of synchronization defined to date to be achieved for both continuous-time and discrete-time systems. Referring to discrete- time systems, the method assures any type of dead beat synchronization (i.e., exact synchronization in finite time), thus providing additional value to the conceived framework. Finally, the topic of synchronizing special type of systems, such as those characterized by the absence of equilibrium points, is also discussed.