  Networks of globally coupled, noise activated, bistable elements with
connection time delays are considered. The dynamics of these systems is studied
numerically using a Langevin description and analytically using (1) a Gaussian
approximation as well as (2) a dichotomous model. The system demonstrates
ordering phase transitions and multi-stability. That is, for a strong enough
feedback it exhibits nontrivial stationary states and oscillatory states whose
frequencies depend only on the mean of the time delay distribution function.
Other observed dynamical phenomena include coherence resonance and, in the case
of non-uniform coupling strengths, amplitude death and chaos. Furthermore, an
increase of the stability of the trivial equilibrium with increasing
non-uniformity of the time delays is observed.
