Robust Adaptive Synchronization in a Small Pacemaker Neuronal Ensemble*

The synchronization of a pacemaker neuronal ensemble under the action of a robust and adaptive control command is studied herein. The ensemble corresponds to the pyloric central pattern generator of the stomatogastric ganglion of lobster. The desired dynamics is provided by means of an external neuron called the reference neuron and it is induced via a nonlinear controller. Such a controller is composed by a linearizing-like controller and a high gain estimator; the controller is able to counteract parameter variations, system uncertainties and external perturbations in the controlled system. Numerical simulations of the robust synchronization dynamics of the master neuron and the pacemaker neuronal ensemble are presented in order to corroborate the results.