Enhanced information transmission with signal-dependent noise in an array of nonlinear elements

A. Nikitin*, N.G. Stocks, R.P. Morse

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We have investigated information transmission in an array of threshold units that have signal-dependent noise and a common input signal. We demonstrate a phenomenon similar to stochastic resonance and suprathreshold stochastic resonance with additive noise and show that information transmission can be enhanced by a nonzero level of noise. By comparing system performance to one with additive noise we also demonstrate that the information transmission of weak signals is significantly better with signal-dependent noise. Indeed, information rates are not compromised even for arbitrary small input signals. Furthermore, by an appropriate selection of parameters, we observe that the information can be made to be (almost) independent of the level of the noise, thus providing a robust method of transmitting information in the presence of noise. These result could imply that the ability of hair cells to code and transmit sensory information in biological sensory systems is not limited by the level of signal-dependent noise. © 2007 The American Physical Society.

Original languageEnglish
Article number021121
Number of pages8
JournalPhysical Review E
Volume75
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Feb 2007

Bibliographical note

©2007 American Physical Society. Enhanced information transmission with signal-dependent noise in an array of nonlinear elements
A. Nikitin, N. G. Stocks, and R. P. Morse
Phys. Rev. E 75, 021121 – Published 26 February 2007

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