Abstract
In this paper we present a new projective synchronization scheme, where two chaotic (hyperchaotic) discrete-time systems synchronize for any arbitrary scaling matrix. Specifically, each drive system state synchronizes with a linear combination of response system states. The proposed observer-based approach presents some useful features: i) it enables exact synchronization to be achieved in finite time (i.e., dead-beat synchronization); ii) it exploits a scalar synchronizing signal; iii) it can be applied to a wide class of discrete-time chaotic (hyperchaotic) systems; iv) it includes, as a particular case, most of the synchronization types defined so far. An example is reported, which shows in detail that exact synchronization is effectively achieved in finite time, using a scalar synchronizing signal only, for any arbitrary scaling matrix.