Mode-locking in a network of kuramoto-like oscillators

Abstract

In this paper we consider a network of phase oscillators. We develop the equations that model the time evolution of the phase of each oscillator in the network. The oscillator represents a modified Kuramoto oscillator and in this study we discuss how these modifications are obtained. In the context of this study, we use this network to model a network of PLLs for distributed clock applications. We analyse analytically and numerically the synchronisation modes of this system for different types of the coupling function. We show that depending on the properties of the coupling function, the network displays either multiple coexisting synchronisation modes or only a single synchronisation mode. While in the context of clock generation, multiple synchronisation modes coexisting in the system at the same parameters are a parasitic phenomenon. However in the context of other application such as associative memory models, mode-locking can be seen a useful phenomenon. The results provide a deeper understanding of globally synchronised clock networks with applications in microprocessor design.