Synchronization in large directed networks of coupled phase oscillators

We study the emergence of collective synchronization in large directed networks of heterogeneous oscillators by generalizing the classical Kuramoto model of globally coupled phase oscillators to more realistic networks. We extend recent theoretical approximations describing the transition to synchronization in large undirected networks of coupled phase oscillators to the case of directed networks. We also consider the case of networks with mixed positive-negative coupling strengths. We compare our theory with numerical simulations and find good agreement. (C) 2006 American Institute of Physics.