Synchronization in networks of mobile oscillators

Description
Starting already with Huygens in 1665, synchronization in networks of autonomous agents is a paradigmatic example of emergence. If a network's topology is fixed, the time the system needs to achieve a common state is well known. The same cannot be said of networks with evolving topologies, for instance those where the agents are allowed to move. If the topology changes fast, an approximation that averages out the effect of motion is available. However, this approximation is not always realistic, and a more general framework is required. Here we present a conceptual model of networks where topology change is due to agents motion. We demonstrate that as topology changes slower, the approximation does not hold, and the time required for synchronization achievement increases. Our results suggest that the design of mobile device networks should take into account the trade-off between agent speed and interaction frequency, which have opposite effects on the efficiency of synchronization.
Organised by Vito Latora
Support Email: vito.latora@ct.infn.it