We study an effective method to recover dynamic activity in coupled oscillator networks that have been damaged and lost oscillatory dynamics owing to some inactivated or deteriorated oscillator elements. Recovery of the dynamic behavior can be achieved by newly connecting intact oscillators to the network. We analytically and numerically examine the proportion of the oscillators that are needed to be supported by intact oscillators for recovery of oscillation dynamics. Our results show that it can be more effective to preferentially support active oscillators in the damaged network than to preferentially support inactivated ones. The conditions for this counterintuitive result are discussed. Our framework could be a theoretical foundation for understanding regeneration of oscillatory dynamics in physical and biological systems.

• Received 25 July 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.88.032909