Foreground and Background Components in Separable Complex Systems

Abstract

Abstract:Complex systems are composed of a large number of individual components. Many of these systems are separable, i.e., they can be split into two coupled subsystems: one with foreground components and another with background components. The former leads to narrow peaks in the frequency spectrum of the system and the latter gives the broad-band part. There is coupling between the two subsystems, but they can be studied separately for purposes of modeling and for analysis of experimental data. Examples from the literature are given from the area of mechanical vibrations, but the approach is quite general and can be adapted to other kinds of problems.

Determining the Coupling Source on a Set of Oscillators from Experimental Data

“…In addition to other behavioral characteristics, complex systems can present synchronization. In most cases, the system deploys two behaviors: one that is easily identified at a foreground level and another that remains at background level [1]. The foreground behavior is seen at frequency responses with high amplitudes and narrow bands, whereas the background behavior presents a wide band response and low amplitudes.…”