Experimental study on synchronization of sound-coupled electronic metronomes

Abstract

Abstract:As an experimental analogy of synchronized hands clapping , sound-coupled electronic metronomes are introduced. Clicking sounds generated from the driving metronome serve as the sounds of hands clapping, whereas a microphone attached to the driven electronic metronome detects the clicking sounds. In contrast to popular experimental systems of synchronization, e.g., mechanical metronomes put on a same beam, which directly connects oscillators through a material medium, the present system utilizes sound as an indirect coupling medium. In cases of both unidirectional and bidirectional couplings, our experiments showed that the two electronic metronomes are synchronized in such a way that a slow metronome catches up with a fast one. Phase slips, which give rise to intermittent switching between synchronized and desynchronized rhythms, were also observed, resembling the hands clapping in a concert hall. Our mathematical model based on phase oscillators with positive interaction function elucidates the observed results very well. Our system may provide a basic experimental framework for studying synchronization in sound-coupled oscillators including the rhythmic applause.

Synchronization of Two Coupled Crystal Oscillators

“…Theoretical studies of synchronization of the limit cycle and chaotic oscillators have been carried out for many years [1]. From the experimental side, synchronization phenomena are observed in various oscillators, e.g., Stirling engines [2], metronomes [3] and candles [4]. Synchronization phenomena rely on the assumption that the oscillators are coupled with each other.…”