Imperfections in Integrated Devices Allow the Emergence of Unexpected Strange Attractors in Electronic Circuits

Abstract

The realization of integrated devices determines unavoidable imperfections which are linked to the manufacturing process, thus making them imperfect systems. Imperfection is not always detrimental, as it can lead to unexpected complex and organized behaviors. In this paper we explore the possibility of designing imperfect electronic circuits producing a chaotic flow with bandwidth up to the order to several megahertz thanks to the hidden dynamics induced by construction imperfections, and whose characteristics can be tuned by means of a single variable resistor, acting as bifurcation parameter. Moreover, a strategy to estimate the parameters of the hidden dynamics is devised and the synchronization of imperfect chaotic circuits is shown. The paper further remarks that imperfection can play an important role in the realization of robust chaos generators based on simple circuits.