Noise-aided detection of weak optically-transmitted signals
Abstract
Noise-aided detection of weak, optically transmitted signals is demonstrated in a setup that uses a light-emitting diode (LED) and a 1-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Noise is used to dither the weak signal and is transmitted using the LED. The photodiode and 1-bit ADC detects the triggered response of the LED. An optimum noise level is shown to enhance the weak signal in the power spectrum. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is also shown to peak at the optimum noise level and rapidly diminishes as noise is increased further. The peaking of the SNR plot demonstrate the classic stochastic resonance (SR) effect. Experimental results agree with theoretical expectations obtained from numerical simulations of the LED/ADC threshold system.