Synchronization and desynchronization in locally coupled Wilson-Cowan oscillators

A network of Wilson-Cowan oscillators is constructed, and its emergent properties of synchronization and desynchronization are investigated by both computer simulation and formal analysis. The network is a two-dimensional matrix, where each oscillator is coupled only to its nearest neighbors. The coupling strengths are rapidly adjusted based on a Hebbian rule. A global inhibitor is introduced which receives input from the matrix and inhibits each oscillator in the matrix. We found that a group of oscillators which is stimulated by a single object quickly produces phase synchrony within the group. Furthermore, global inhibition drives the network to desynchronize different oscillator groups. Different from many other studies, the abilities of this model emerge from local connections, which preserve spatial relationships among object components, critical for encoding Gestalt principles of feature grouping. These properties of the oscillator network offer a very promising approach for pattern segmentation based on synchrony and desynchrony