Self-synchronization and controlled synchronization

An attempt is made to give a general formalism for synchronization in dynamical systems encompassing most of the known definitions and applications. The proposed set-up describes synchronization of interconnected systems with respect to a set of functionals and captures peculiarities of both self-synchronization and controlled synchronization. Various illustrative examples are give

Semi-passivity and synchronization of diffusively coupled neuronal oscillators

We discuss synchronization in networks of neuronal oscillators which are interconnected via diffusive coupling, i.e. linearly coupled via gap junctions. In particular, we present sufficient conditions for synchronization in these networks using the theory of semi-passive and passive systems. We show that the conductance-based neuronal models of Hodgkin-Huxley, Morris-Lecar, and the popular reduced models of FitzHugh-Nagumo and Hindmarsh-Rose all satisfy a semi-passivity property, i.e. that is the state trajectories of such a model remain oscillatory but bounded provided that the supplied (electrical) energy is bounded. As a result, for a wide range of coupling configurations, networks of these oscillators are guaranteed to possess ultimately bounded solutions. Moreover, we demonstrate that when the coupling is strong enough the oscillators become synchronized. Our theoretical conclusions are confirmed by computer simulations with coupled \HR and \ML oscillators. Finally we discuss possible "instabilities" in networks of oscillators induced by the diffusive coupling

Self-synchronization and controlled synchronization of dynamical systems

A general definition of synchronization of dynamical systems is given capturing features of both self-synchronized systems and systems synchronized by means of control. It has been demonstrated for important special cases of "master-slave" and coupled systems that synchronizing control may be designed using feedback linearization or passification methods