We consider oscillator ensembles consisting of subpopulations of identical units, with a general heterogeneous coupling between subpopulations. Using the Watanabe-Strogatz ansatz, we reduce the dynamics of the ensemble to a relatively small number of dynamical variables plus constants of motion. This reduction is independent of the sizes of subpopulations and remains valid in the thermodynamic limits. The theory is applied to the standard Kuramoto model and to the description of two interacting subpopulations, where we report a novel, quasiperiodic chimera state.

• Received 22 September 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.264103