Controllable Synchronization of Hierarchically Networked Oscillators

Abstract. The controllability of synchronization is an intriguing question in complex systems, in which hiearchically-organized heterogeneous elements have asymmetric and activity-dependent couplings. In this study, we introduce a simple and effective way to control synchronization in such a complex system by changing the complexity of subsystems. We consider three Stuart-Landau oscillators as a minimal subsystem for generating various complexity, and hiearchically connect the subsystems through a mean field of their activities. Depending on the coupling signs between three oscillators, subsystems can generate ample dynamics, in which the number of attractors specify their complexity. The degree of synchronization between subsystems is then controllable by changing the complexity of subsystems. This controllable synchronization can be applied to understand the synchronization behavior of complex biological networks.