Mode analysis of a ring of a large number of mutually coupled van der Pol oscillators

The results of an investigation of the structure and stability of various oscillatory modes of an inductance coupled ring of the van der Pol oscillators, using a nonlinear mode analysis, are presented. It has been demonstrated that all single modes, both standing and traveling waves, are stable, but that simultaneous two and three modes are not stable. Experiments have been performed using four- and five-oscillator rings and the results obtained agree well with the theory.