Anti-phase relay synchronization of wave structures in a heterogeneous multiplex network of 2D lattices

We explore numerically relay synchronization of wave structures in a heterogeneous three-layer network of coupled two-dimensional (2D) lattices of continuous-time systems. Remote layers, which are not directly connected but interact via a relay layer, consist of coupled van der Pol oscillators, while the middle layer is described by a lattice of interacting FitzHugh-Nagumo neurons. We show for the first time that already for weak inter-layer coupling, anti-phase relay synchronization of target wave patterns occurs in the considered network. This is a novel effect which can be observed in multiplex networks of interacting 2D lattices of oscillatory systems. Our numerical studies indicate that strong inter-layer coupling leads to in-phase synchronization of spatio-coherent structures in the network layers. We also analyze the impact of inter-layer coupling ranges in the relay and the remote layers on the relay synchronization effect. (c) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigates relay synchronization of wave structures in a heterogeneous three-layer network, with remote layers consisting of coupled van der Pol oscillators and a middle layer composed of FitzHugh-Nagumo neurons. It is shown that even weak inter-layer coupling can lead to anti-phase relay synchronization of target wave patterns in the network. Stronger inter-layer coupling results in in-phase synchronization of spatio-coherent structures in the network layers.