Recent advances of finite-field networks

Finite-field networks (FFNs) are a class of multi-agent systems over finite fields with sensing, computing, and communication capabilities. FFNs have been investigated extensively to save computing and communication resources. This paper summarizes the current research results to provide a direction for future research. First, different models of FFNs are reviewed, including FFNs with time-delays, switching topology, and leader-following structures. Then, the consensus and synchronization problems of multi-agent systems over finite fields are analyzed, and the necessary and sufficient conditions for consensus and synchronization of some autonomous systems have been derived in recent research. Finally, the distributed control of multi-agent systems over finite fields has been developed by many scholars based on various approaches.