A growing number of algorithms have been proposed to map a scalar time series into ordinal partition transition networks. However, most observable phenomena in the empirical sciences are of a multivariate nature. We construct ordinal partition transition networks for multivariate time series. This approach yields weighted directed networks representing the pattern transition properties of time series in velocity space, which hence provides dynamic insights of the underling system. Furthermore, we propose a measure of entropy to characterize ordinal partition transition dynamics, which is sensitive to capturing the possible local geometric changes of phase space trajectories. We demonstrate the applicability of pattern transition networks to capture phase coherence to non-coherence transitions, and to characterize paths to phase synchronizations. Therefore, we conclude that the ordinal partition transition network approach provides complementary insight to the traditional symbolic analysis of nonlinear multivariate time series.

We propose to construct cross and joint ordinal pattern transition networks from multivariate time series for two coupled systems, where synchronizations are often present. In particular, we focus on phase synchronization, which is one of prototypical scenarios in dynamical systems. We systematically show that cross and joint ordinal patterns transition networks are sensitive to phase synchronization. Furthermore, we find that some particular missing ordinal patterns play crucial roles in forming the detailed structures in the parameter space whereas the calculations of permutation entropy measures often do not. We conclude that cross and joint ordinal partition transition network approaches provide complementary insights to the traditional symbolic analysis of synchronization transitions.