Nonlinear Phenomena in Complex Systems, vol. 11, no. 2 (2008), pp.

187 - 192

Experimental Synchronization of Two Resistively Coupled

Dung-type Circuits
Ch. K. Volos, I. M. Kyprianidis, and I. N. Stouboulos
Physics Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GREECE
(Received 1 December, 2007)
Last decades chaotic synchronization became a very important research eld among the scientists,
because of its applications in secure communications. This work explores the phenomenon of chaotic
synchronization between two identical nonlinear circuits. The circuits we used are two second order
nonlinear electrical circuits described by the well known Dung's equation. We coupled the circuits
via a linear resistor and we examined the behavior of the system in two dierent cases of coupling,
(bidirectional and unidirectional). In both cases of coupling, we found out, that the system was
synchronized for dierent values of the coupling resistor. Finally, we compared the theoretical results,
from the simulation, with the experimental results, and we saw that the system had the expected
behavior.
PACS numbers: 05.45.Xt; 95.10.Fh
Keywords: chaotic synchronization, coupled Dung-type circuits

1. Introduction
Synchronization between coupled chaotic
systems appears to be a phenomenon, which at rst
look, goes against the basic rules of chaos theory.
Nevertheless, after the publication of Pecora's and
Caroll's pioneer work on the synchronization of two
coupled nonlinear systems [13], many researchers
studied the appearance of this kind of dynamical
behavior [4]. Synchronization of chaotic systems plays (a) (b)
a very important role in many research areas. For
example, it has been observed, that neural signals
in the brain have a chaotic form, so a possible FIG. 2. (a) The nonlinear element of the circuit and (b)
synchronization of these signals is a very important the characteristic curve of current (i) versus voltage (v)
subject [5]. Other interesting examples are articial for this element.
neuronal networks [6], biological networks [7], coupled
chaotic neurons [8], as well as coupled electrical
oscillators [9]. Also recently, researchers are very
interested in synchronization because of its possible
applications in the eld of communications and
especially in the eld of secure communications
[10, 11].

FIG. 3. Bifurcation diagram of x1 versus B for α = 0.25,

b = 1, ² = 0.18, ω = 0.8.

FIG. 1. The Dung - type circuit.

Generally, there are two big categories of chaotic
synchronization in bibliography. In the rst one, which
we owe to Pecora and Caroll [1], a steady subsystem
of the original chaotic system can synchronize with a
discrete chaotic system, under certain circumstances.
The second method of synchronization between two
identical nonlinear systems can be achieved with
resistive coupling, without the necessity of creating

187
188 Ch. K. Volos, I. M. Kyprianidis, and I. N. Stouboulos
(a) (b)
FIG. 4. Experimental phase portrait x2 versus x1 , of
the Dung-type circuit for (a) B = 27 and (b) B =
28.2 (Horiz.:1V/div., Vert.:5V/div.). The circuit appears
chaotic behavior.
FIG. 5. Two Dung - type circuits bidirectionally coupled
via a linear resistor.
subsystems [1215].
In this paper, we studied the second case
of coupling with two ways (bidirectional and
unidirectional coupling), of two identical nonlinear
Dung - type circuits. In section 2 we described
the Dung - type circuit we used, in section 3 we
introduced the coupling methods and performed the
state equations of the systems. Finally, in section 4 we
FIG. 6. Two Dung - type circuits unidirectionally
coupled via a linear resistor.
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(a)
(b)
FIG. 7. Bifurcation diagram of x1 − x01 versus ξ for B=27,
in the case of (a) bidirectional and (b) unidirectional
coupling.
FIG. 8. Experimental phase portrait x01 versus x1 , of
the system of Fig. 3 (bidirectional coupling), for RC =
406kΩ(ξ = 0.005)(Horiz.:1V/div., Vert.:1V/div.). The
system is out of synchronization.
experimentally conrmed the expected behavior of the
system for various values of the coupling resistor RC .
2. The proposed circuit
In this work, we constructed a circuit that
implements one of the most famous and well known
nonlinear equations, the Dung equation. It is a very
interesting second order equation, because it appears
a variety of dynamic behavior, such as chaos and
bifurcations. The Dung equation has the following
form.
d2 x1 dx1
+² + αx1 + bx31 = B cos(ωt) (1)
dt2 dt
One of the possible implementations of the
Dung equation was proposed by Kyprianidis et al.
 Experimental Synchronization of Two Resistively Coupled Dung-type Circuits 189

FIG. 11. Experimental phase portraits

FIG. 9. Experimental phase portrait
x01 versus x1 , of the system of Fig.
3 (bidirectional coupling), for RC =
98.4kΩ(ξ = 0.02)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). Period-2 attractor.
FIG. 10. Experimental phase portraits
x01 versus x1 , of the system of
x01 versus x1 , of the system of Fig.
Fig. 3 (bidirectional coupling), for
3 (bidirectional coupling), for RC =
RC = 2.7kΩ(ξ = 0.3)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
5.2kΩ(ξ = 0.22)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). The system is out of
Vert.:1V/div.). Period-3 attractor.
synchronization.

FIG. 12. Experimental phase portraits
x01 versus x1 , of the system of
Fig. 3 (bidirectional coupling), for
RC = 455Ω(ξ = 0.45)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). The system is in
chaotic synchronization.
FIG. 13. Experimental phase portraits
x01 versus x1 , of the system of Fig. 4
(unidirectional coupling), for RC =
78kΩ(ξ = 0.025)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). The system is out of
synchronization.
FIG. 14. Experimental phase portraits
x01 versus x1 , of the system of Fig. 4
(unidirectional coupling), for RC =
9.6kΩ(ξ = 0.15)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). The system is in
chaotic synchronization.

[16], (Fig. 1). The proposed circuit is a second order parameters of the system. If we choose the following
nonlinear circuit excited by an external sinusoidal values for the elements of the circuit, R0 = 2.05kΩ,
voltage source, u(t) = V0 cos(ωt). Also, contains two R1 = 8.11kΩ, R2 = 5.248kΩ, R3 = R5 = 1kΩ,
op-amps (LF 411) operating in the linear region. The R11 = R12 = 0.557kΩ, C2 = 105.9nF , C4 = 9.79nF
nonlinear element implements the cubic function of and f = 1.273kHz , the normalized parameters take
Eq. (2). the following values α = 0.25, b = 1, ² = 0.18,
ω = 0.8. As you can see from the bifurcation diagram
i(v) = pv + qv 3 (2) of x1 versus B , the circuit appears three chaotic
bands [Fig. 3]. In this paper we choose to work with B
In Fig. 2 we can see the nonlinear element who in two of these three bands, B = 27 and B = 28.2. For
was constructed with resistors and diodes (1N4148) these values, the circuit appears chaotic behavior [Fig.
and the characteristic curve of current (i) versus 4(a) and (b)].
voltage (v), for this element.
If we denote with x1 and x2 the voltages across
the capacitors C2 and C4 respectively, we have the
following state equations.
3. The coupling method
dx1 1 1
= − x1 + x2 (3)
dt C2 R2 C2 R3 The system of two identical (have exactly the
dx2 R0 V0 same values for the elements) Dung - type circuits,
= − f (x1 ) + cos(ωt) (4)
dt C4 R5 C4 R5 bidirectionally coupled via a linear resistor RC , is
shown in Fig. 5. The state equations of the system
where f (x1 ) = px1 + qx31 is the cubic function of Eq. have the form of Eqs. (5-8), where x01 and x02 are
(2). the voltages across the capacitors C20 and C40 of the
Finally, from Eqs. (3) and (4) we take the Dung second circuit respectively and ξ = RCR +2R0 is the
0

equation (1), where, ² = C21R2 , α = C2 CpR 0

4 R3 R5
, b= coupling factor. So, the coupling factor ξ is a function
rR0 V0
C2 C4 R3 R5 and B = C2 C4 R3 R5 , are the normalized of the coupling resistor RC .

Nonlinear Phenomena in Complex Systems Vol. 11, no. 2, 2008

190 Ch. K. Volos, I. M. Kyprianidis, and I. N. Stouboulos

FIG. 15. Experimental phase portraits
x01 versus x1 , of the system of Fig. 4
(unidirectional coupling), for RC =
6.3kΩ(ξ = 0.245)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). The system is out of
synchronization.
FIG. 16. Experimental phase portraits
x01 versus x1 , of the system of
Fig. 4 (unidirectional coupling), for
RC = 455Ω(ξ = 0.45)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). The system is in
chaotic synchronization.
FIG. 17. Experimental phase portraits
x01 versus x1 , of the system of Fig. 4
(unidirectional coupling), for RC =
2.6kΩ(ξ = 0.306)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). The system is out of
synchronization.

(a) (b)

FIG. 18. Bifurcation diagram of x1 − x01 versus ξ

for B=28.2, in the case of (a) bidirectional and (b)
unidirectional coupling.

dx1 1 1
= − x1 + x2 (5)
dt C2 R 2 C2 R 3
dx2 R0 V0 R02
= − f (x1 ) + cos(ωt) − (f (x01 ) − f (x1 )) (6)
dt C4 R 5 C4 R5 C4 R5 (RC + 2R0 )
dx01 1 1
= − x01 + x0 (7)
dt C2 R 2 C2 R 3 2
dx02 R0 V0 R02
= − f (x01 ) + cos(ωt) − (f (x1 ) − f (x01 )) (8)
dt C4 R 5 C4 R5 C4 R5 (RC + 2R0 )

In the case of unidirectional coupling we add a buer at the branch of coupling, as it is shown in Fig. 6, and the
state equations of this system take the following form.
dx1 1 1
= − x1 + x2 (9)
dt C2 R 2 C2 R 3
dx2 R0 V0
= − f (x1 ) + cos(ωt) (10)
dt C4 R 5 C4 R5
dx01 1 1
= − x01 + x0 (11)
dt C2 R 2 C2 R 3 2
dx02 R0 V0 R02
= − f (x01 ) + cos(ωt) − (f (x1 ) − f (x01 )) (12)
dt C4 R 5 C4 R5 C4 R5 (RC + 2R0 )

4. Experimental results are identical (have the same values of the circuits
parameter), so the two circuits have the same
We consider the case, that the two circuits
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 Experimental Synchronization of Two Resistively Coupled Dung-type Circuits 191

FIG. 19. Experimental phase portraits

FIG. 20. Experimental phase portraits FIG. 21. Experimental phase portraits
x01 versus x1 , of the system of Fig.
x01 versus x1 , of the system of Fig. x01 versus x1 , of the system of Fig.
3 (bidirectional coupling), for RC =
3 (bidirectional coupling), for RC = 3 (bidirectional coupling), for RC =
201kΩ(ξ = 0.01)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
6.75kΩ(ξ = 0.189)(Horiz.:1V/div., 1.2kΩ(ξ = 0.387)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). The system is out of
Vert.:1V/div.). Period-1 attractor. Vert.:1V/div.). Period-1 attractor.
synchronization.

FIG. 22. Experimental phase portraits
x01 versus x1 , of the system of Fig.
3 (bidirectional coupling), for RC =
960Ω(ξ = 0.405)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). The system is in
chaotic synchronization.
FIG. 23. Experimental phase portraits
x01 versus x1 , of the system of Fig. 4
(unidirectional coupling), for RC =
78kΩ(ξ = 0.025)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). The system is out of
synchronization.
FIG. 24. Experimental phase portraits
x01 versus x1 , of the system of Fig. 4
(unidirectional coupling), for RC =
16.4kΩ(ξ = 0.1)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). The system is in
chaotic synchronization.

normalized parameters α = 0.25, b = 1, ² = 0.18, 4.2. The Case B=28.2

ω = 0.8. Also, we chosen B = 27 and B = 28.2.
In both cases of B, the coupled circuits are in chaotic
steady state, as we saw before. Next, we have studied
the chaotic synchronization as the coupling factor ξ is
increased. The bifurcation diagrams of x1 −x01 versus ξ
are shown in the following gures. When the dierence
x1 −x01 becomes equal to zero, this means that the two
circuits are in chaotic synchronization.
4.1. The Case B=27
In Figs. 7(a) and (b) the bifurcation diagrams of
x1 − x01 versus ξ are shown for B=27, in the case of
(a) bidirectional and (b) unidirectional coupling. As
we can observe, in the case of bidirectional coupling a
phase-locked state of period-2 is created in the ranges
of values 0.017 < ξ < 0.022 and 0.387 < ξ < 0.392
[Fig. 9]. In the range of values 0.212 < ξ < 0.229
we can see a period-3 state [Fig. 10]. Also, in Figs. 8
and 11 we can see the chaotic behavior of the system.
Chaotic synchronization is observed for ξ > 0.444 [Fig.
12].
In the case of unidirectional coupling we can see four
bands of chaotic behavior [e.g. Figs. 13, 15 and 17] and
four windows of chaotic synchronization [e.g. Figs. 14
and 16].
In Figs. 18(a) and (b), the bifurcation diagrams
x1 − x01 versus ξ are shown for B=28.2. As we can
observe, in the case of bidirectional coupling, a phase-
locked state of period-1 is created in various ranges
of values: 00187 < ξ < 0.191 , 0.286 < ξ < 0.297
and 0.368 < ξ < 0.401 [e.g. Figs. 20 and 21].
In Fig. 19 we can see an example of the chaotic
behavior of the system. Also in Fig. 22 we can observe
the chaotic synchronization of the system when the
coupling factor is greater of 0.402.
In the case of unidirectional coupling we can see three
bands of chaotic behavior [Figs. 23, 25 and 26] and
three windows of chaotic synchronization [e.g. Figs.
24, 27], as we expected according to the bifurcation
diagram.
5. Conclusions
In this paper, we experimentally conrmed the
chaotic synchronization of two identical nonlinear
electronic circuits. We coupled two Dung-type
circuits, via a linear resistor and we found
the achievement of chaotic synchronization in
both coupling cases, we tested (bidirectional and

Nonlinear Phenomena in Complex Systems Vol. 11, no. 2, 2008

192 Ch. K. Volos, I. M. Kyprianidis, and I. N. Stouboulos

FIG. 25. Experimental phase portraits
x01 versus x1 , of the system of Fig. 4
(unidirectional coupling), for RC =
4.3kΩ(ξ = 0.245)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). The system is out of
synchronization.
FIG. 26. Experimental phase portraits
x01 versus x1 , of the system of
Fig. 4 (unidirectional coupling), for
RC = 2.7kΩ(ξ = 0.3)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). The system is out of
synchronization.
FIG. 27. Experimental phase portraits
x01 versus x1 , of the system of Fig. 4
(unidirectional coupling), for RC =
1.76kΩ(ξ = 0.35)(Horiz.:1V/div.,
Vert.:1V/div.). The system is in
chaotic synchronization.

unidirectional). The bifurcation diagrams of x1 − x1 0 bidirectional coupling. Finally, the comparison of

versus the coupling parameter ξ , for two dierent the experimental results with those that were taken
values of the parameter B (B=27 and B=28.2), from the bifurcation diagrams, conrmed the desired
revealed the richness of dynamical behavior, which behavior of the system for the various values of ξ .
the system appears, especially in the case of the

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