Pulsing dynamics in randomly wired glider cellular automata

Abstract

Sustained rhythmic oscillations, pulsing dynamics, emerge spontaneously when the local connection scheme is randomised in 3-value cellular automata that feature"glider" dynamics. Time-plots of pulsing measures maintain a distinct waveform for each glider rule, and scatter plots of entropy/density and the density return-map show unique signatures, which have the characteristics of chaotic strange attractors. We present case studies, possible mechanisms, and implications for oscillatory networks in biology.

Changes: the title is altered ("glider" replaces "complex") + some revisions, additions and corrections, 32 pages, 21 figures