Pulsed chaos synchronization in networks with adaptive couplings

Networks of chaotic units with static couplings can synchronize to a common chaotic trajectory. The effect of dynamic adaptive couplings on the cooperative behavior of chaotic networks is investigated. The couplings adjust to the activities of its two units by two competing mechanisms: An exponential decrease of the coupling strength is compensated by an increase due to de-synchronized activity. This mechanism prevents the network from reaching a steady state. Numerical simulations of a coupled map lattice show chaotic trajectories of de-synchronized units interrupted by pulses of mutually synchronized clusters. These pulses occur on all scales, sometimes extending to the entire network. Clusters of synchronized units can be triggered by a small group of synchronized units.