Delay-Induced Stability Transitions in Directed Signed Consensus Networks

Abstract

We study delay-induced transitions in consensus dynamics on signed networks with a ring topology. The proposed model is formulated as a system of delay differential equations incorporating both cooperative and antagonistic interactions, as well as heterogeneous time delays. We perform a stability analysis by deriving the associated characteristic equation and examining the real parts of its eigenvalues. It is shown that the stability of the consensus state depends critically on the magnitude of the delays. In particular, increasing time delays may destabilize the system and induce transitions from consensus to bounded non-convergent behavior or instability. A phase diagram in the parameter space is constructed to identify different dynamical regimes. Numerical simulations validate the theoretical results and illustrate the delay-induced transitions. Such delay-induced transitions have also been reported in various biological and engineered systems, highlighting the universal role of time delays in shaping collective dynamics.