Network inference from oscillatory signals based on circle map

Abstract: Synchronization is ubiquitous in nature, which is mathematically described by coupled oscillators. Synchronization strongly depends on the interaction network, and the network plays a crucial role in controlling the dynamics. To understand and control synchronization dynamics in the real world, it is essential to identify the network from the observed data. While previous studies have developed the methods for inferring the network of asynchronous systems, it remains challenging to infer the network of well-synchronized oscillators. In this study, we develop a method for non-invasively inferring the network of synchronized and desynchronized oscillators. This method is based on the circle map, which describes the phase change in an oscillatory cycle. Our method discards a large part of data used for inference, which may seem counterintuitive. However, the effectiveness of the method is supported by the phase reduction theory, a well-established theory for analyzing weakly coupled oscillators. We verify the proposed method by applying it to simulated data of the limit-cycle oscillators. This study provides an important step towards understanding synchronization in real-world systems from a network perspective.