Abstract: In this paper, the general characteristics and the topological consideration of the global behaviors of higher order nonlinear dynamical systems and the characteristics of the application of cell-to-cell mapping method in this analysis are expounded. Specifically, the global analysis of a system of two weakly coupled van der Pol oscillators using cell-to-cell mapping method is presented.The analysis shows that for this system, there exist two stable limit cycles in 4-dimensional state space, and the whole 4-dimensional state space is divided into two almost equal parts which are, respectively, the two asymototically stable domains of attraction of the two periodic motions of the two stable limit cycles. The validities of these conclusions about the global behaviors are also verified by direct long term numerical integration. Thus, it can be seen that the cell-to-cell mapping method for global analysis of fourth order nonlinear dynamical systems is quite effective.

Key words: electromagnetic wave, dielectric permittivity, soil, wave propagation