A VLSI Design for Phase Synchronization of Two Globally Coupled Oscillators

Abstract

Phase synchronization of globally coupled oscillators is a common phenomenon in almost every branch of science including chemistry, physics, astronomy, biology, and electronics. It has various applications such as laser arrays, chemical and electrical oscillators, metronomes, pathological synchronization in Parkinson’s disease, and synchronized oscillation of neurons. In this thesis, we study and design globally coupled oscillators with a focus on biological applications.

We mathematically analyze one of the most widely studied models of globally coupled oscillators proposed by Matthews et al.. Based on this model, we design two globally coupled oscillator systems in Simulink. Simulation results show that our systems work perfectly as synchronized globally coupled oscillators.

We then design a two-channel globally coupled oscillator system with integrated circuits using ON Semiconductor’s 0.5 µm CMOS technology and a ±5 V power supply. Simulation results in PSpice show that the two channels get synchronized in less than one cycle and they can oscillate at frequencies less than 1 Hz.