Synchronization of flashing electronic oscillators

A system of flashing electronic oscillators exhibiting highly nontrivial synchronization is built and studied. The electronic oscillators are capable of detecting the ambient light intensity and for emitting light pulses in various modes. A simple optimization rule drives the system. Whenever the light intensity detected by an oscillator is lower than a critical f∗ value, the oscillator chooses an operation mode that increases the ambient light intensity. In contrary, when the light intensity detected by the oscillator is smaller than f∗ the oscillators operate in a mode that decreases the ambient light intensity. As a result of this simple optimization rule an unexpected synchronization of the emitted pulses appears for a given f∗ interval. Our experimental results confirm the earlier computer simulation predictions.