This paper develops a direct analytical framework for synchronizing and controlling fractional-order octonion-valued fuzzy bidirectional associative memory neural networks (FOOVFBAMNNs). Octonion algebra is neither commutative nor associative, which limits the application of standard analytical tools. To address this challenge, we first propose a generalized Cauchy–Schwarz inequality tailored to the octonionic domain, which operates directly without relying on system decomposition. This inequality lays the groundwork for a Lyapunov-based stability analysis that retains the system’s inherent geometric structure to avoid decomposition into real-valued components. Based on this framework, we derive concise 2-norm inequality criteria, which are sufficient to guarantee Mittag-Leffler synchronization of the proposed model. We also employ a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm to systematically optimize the flexible parameters in the generalized inequality, enhancing the practical performance of the synchronization scheme. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, we apply it to a multi-domain image restoration task. Numerical experiments verify the performance of our method. In terms of Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR), the octonion-valued network with PSO-tuned parameters achieves better results than its non-optimized counterpart as well as models constructed in complex or quaternion domains.

This paper concentrates on fractional-order fuzzy cellular neural networks (FOFCNNs) with bounded uncertainties and transmission delays. To better capture real-world dynamic behaviors, the fuzzy AND and OR operators are employed to construct drive-response systems. For the fixed-time synchronization task of the systems, a novel multi-module feedback controller incorporating three functional terms is designed. These terms aim to eliminate delay effects, ensure fixed-time convergence, and reduce parameter conservativeness. Leveraging the properties of fractional-order operators and our multi-module control scheme, new synchronization criteria of the studied drive-response systems can be established within a predefined time. An upper bound on the settling time is derived, depending on the system size and control parameters, but independent of the initial conditions. A significant corollary is derived for the case of no uncertainties under the nonlinear controller. Numerical experiments discuss the impact of uncertainties and delays on synchronization, and confirm the validity of the results presented in this study.