Synchronizing Chaos From Electronic Phase-Locked Loops

This note presents the first experimental demonstration that two similar phase-locked loops driven by a common chaotic signal derived from a master phase-locked loop can be synchronized under some suitably chosen but robust range of system parameters. Experimental observations are qualitatively consistent with both computer simulations, and with the recent synchronization criterion due to Pecora and Carrol. The robustness of this synchronization scheme suggests the intriguing possibility of using chaos as the scrambling codes for spread spectrum communications.