Signal detection via residence-time asymmetry in noisy bistable devices.
We introduce a dynamical readout description for a wide class of nonlinear dynamic sensors operating in a noisy environment. The presence of weak unknown signals is assessed via the monitoring of the residence time in the metastable attractors of the system, in the presence of a known, usually time-periodic, bias signal. This operational scenario can mitigate the effects of sensor noise, providing a greatly simplified readout scheme, as well as significantly reduced processing procedures. Such devices can also show a wide variety of interesting dynamical features. This scheme for quantifying the response of a nonlinear dynamic device has been implemented in experiments involving a simple laboratory version of a fluxgate magnetometer. We present the results of the experiments and demonstrate that they match the theoretical predictions reasonably well.
Bulsara
A R
AR
Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Code 2363, 49590 Lassing Road, San Diego, California 92152-6147, USA. bulsara@spawar.navy.mil
Seberino
C
C
Gammaitoni
L
L
Karlsson
M F
MF
Lundqvist
B
B
Robinson
J W C
JW