Synchronization through frequency shuffling

TL;DR

This paper investigates how temporal heterogeneity in intrinsic frequencies, introduced by frequency shuffling, affects synchronization in coupled oscillator networks, revealing that frequent shuffling promotes earlier synchrony onset.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach of frequency shuffling to control synchronization in oscillator networks, supported by analytical and experimental validation.

Findings

Frequent frequency shuffling induces earlier synchronization.

Shuffling can be done randomly or regularly with similar effects.

Experimental results with Wien Bridge oscillators confirm the theoretical predictions.

Abstract

A wide variety of engineered and natural systems are modelled as networks of coupled nonlinear oscillators. In nature, the intrinsic frequencies of these oscillators are not constant in time. Here, we probe the effect of such a temporal heterogeneity on coupled oscillator networks, through the lens of the Kuramoto model. To do this, we shuffle repeatedly the intrinsic frequencies among the oscillators at either random or regular time intervals. What emerges is the remarkable effect that frequent shuffling induces earlier onset (i.e., at a lower coupling) of synchrony among the oscillator phases. Our study provides a novel strategy to induce and control synchrony under resource constraints. We demonstrate our results analytically and in experiments with a network of Wien Bridge oscillators with internal frequencies being shuffled in time.