The new parameter `synchronous_node_count` is used by Patroni to manage number of synchronous standby databases. It is set to 1 by default. It has no effect when synchronous_mode is set to off. When enabled, Patroni manages precise number of synchronous standby databases based on parameter synchronous_node_count and adjusts the state in DCS & synchronous_standby_names as members join and leave.
This functionality can be further extended to support Priority (FIRST n) based synchronous replication & Quorum (ANY n) based synchronous replication in future.