This is from the paper Representations up to homotopy of Lie algebroidsRepresentations up to homotopy of Lie algebroids by Camilo Arias Abad and Marius Crainic
Let $M$ be a smooth manifold.
Let $E\rightarrow M$ be a vector bundle. A connection on the vector bundle $E\rightarrow M$ is a map $$\nabla:\Gamma(M,TM)\times \Gamma(M,E)\rightarrow \Gamma(M,E)$$ satisfying certain conditions.
Let $A\rightarrow M$ be a Lie algebroid on $M$. An $A$-connection on the vector bundle $E\rightarrow M$ is a map $$\nabla:\Gamma(M,A)\times \Gamma(M,E)\rightarrow\Gamma(M,E)$$ satisfying the same conditions as mentioned before. :D
This notion seems to be introduced in the above paper, please correct me if I am wrong.
After Definition $2.9$ in the above paper, the authors mention about the notion of an $A$-connection on the (adjoint) complex (of vector bundles). But, the authors do not even declare the meaning of the notion of connection on a chain/cochain complex of vector bundles.
Can someone suggest some reference where I can find a meaning to this notion?
I can make a guess but I am sure the exact notion is more than what I can guess.
Consider the adjoint complex $\rho:A\rightarrow TM$ (which, for me is just a nice morphism of vector bundles).
An $A$-connection on the complex $\rho:A\rightarrow TM$ should be just a pair $(\nabla_A,\nabla_{TM})$ where $\nabla_A$ is an $A$-connection on the vector bundle $A\rightarrow M$, and $\nabla_{TM}$ is an $A$-connection on the vector bundle $TM\rightarrow M$ such that, they are connected with each other with the help of the morphism $\rho:A\rightarrow TM$.
So, what exactly does it mean to sayrefer to a connection on a ($2$-term) complex of vector bundles?