Maximising information transfer through nonlinear noisy devices

Abstract

Consider an array of parallel comparators (threshold devices) receiving the same input signal, but subject to independent noise, where the output from each device is summed to give an overall output. Such an array is a good model of a number of nonlinear systems including flash analogue to digital converters, sonar arrays and parallel neurons. Recently, this system was analysed by Stocks in terms of information theory, who showed that under certain conditions the transmitted information through the array is maximised for non-zero noise. This phenomenon was termed Suprathreshold Stochastic Resonance (SSR). In this paper we give further results related to the maximisation of the transmitted information in this system.