Synchronization and control of spatially extended systems using sensor coupling

We investigate the problem of synchronizing and controlling spatially exten ded systems. For this purpose a coupling scheme is introduced, that allows to synchronize and control the dynamics with only a few driving signals whi ch are spatial averages of local regions. We estimate the optimal arrangeme nt of the coupling signals and compare them with their usual periodic arran gement. The application in controlling, e.g. suppression of chaos, is demon strated.