Pattern Generation by Network composed of Oscillators and Capacitive Couplers

This article proposes a network system composed of oscillators and capacitive couplers as an abstract neural circuit model for use in elucidating functional combinations of neural elements. The capacitive couplers produce changes in the interactions between the oscillators and enable various functions that the oscillators alone cannot realize. The functions added by these capacitive couplers include NOR-based logic operations, a falling edge detector, an astable multivibrator, and sequential pattern generation. The results of this study suggest that the incorporation of capacitive functions in an oscillatory network system is a beneficial means of extending the functionality of the system.