Right on time: Measuring Kuramoto model coupling from a survey of wristwatches

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how wristwatch synchronization data can be modeled as a Kuramoto oscillator network, allowing estimation of coupling strength and insights into system topology from phase dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to infer oscillator coupling and network topology from real-world wristwatch synchronization surveys.

Findings

Estimated coupling strength from survey data

Derived order parameter for synchronization assessment

Discussed potential for topology inference from dynamics

Abstract

Using a survey of wristwatch synchronization from a randomly selected group of independent volunteers, one can model the system as a Kuramoto-type coupled oscillator network. Based on the phase data, both the order parameter and an estimated value of the coupling is derived and the possibilities for similar research to deduce topology from dynamics are discussed.