A unifying definition of synchronization for dynamical systems.

We propose a unifying definition for synchronization between stationary finite dimensional deterministic dynamical systems. By example, we show that the synchronization phenomena discussed in the dynamical systems literature fits within the framework of this definition, and discuss problems with previous definitions of synchronization. We conclude with a discussion of possible extensions of the definition to infinite dimensional systems described by partial differential equations and/or systems where noise is present. (c) 2000 American Institute of Physics.