Synchronization of Limit Cycle Oscillators by Telegraph Noise

We study the influence of telegraph noise on synchrony of limit cycle oscillators. Adopting the phase description for these oscillators, we derive the explicit expression for the Lyapunov exponent. We show that either for weak noise or frequent switching the Lyapunov exponent is negative, and the phase model gives adequate analytical results. In some systems moderate noise can desynchronize oscillations, and we demonstrate this for the Van der Pol–Duffing system.