Phase synchronization: from theory to data analysis

Abstract

Synchronization of coupled oscillating systems means appearance of certain relations between their phases and frequencies. Here we use this concept in order to address the inverse problem and to reveal interaction between systems from experimental data. We discuss how the phases and frequencies can be estimated from time series and present techniques for detection and quantification of synchronization. We apply our approach to human posture control data of healthy subjects and neurological patients, to multichannel magnetoencephalography data and records of muscle activity of a Parkinsonian patient, and also use it to analyse the cardiorespiratory interaction in humans. By means of these examples we demonstrate that our method is effective for the analysis of systems interrelation from noisy nonstationary bivariate data and provides other information than traditional correlation (spectral) techniques. Preprint submitted to Elsevier Preprint 7 December 1999 Contents 1 Introduction 3 1...