Noise-induced dynamic bistability of front propagation

We study noise-induced front propagation in a bistable system of the activator–inhibitor type. By varying the intensity of the multiplicative noise, the velocity of the front exhibits a transition to a bistable regime, where the actual velocity and direction of front motion depends mainly on the (random) initial conditions.     

‘Best-case’ noise performance of feedback interferometers, potential for micromachine applications

We present a theoretical analysis of the noise performance of phase measuring feedback interferometers. We first analyse the operation of this kind of instrument and note that under certain circumstances bistability can occur. The bistable region should be avoided if possible when using feedback interferometry for high-accuracy measurement with low-input powers, as it can give rise to very high-noise levels. We then go on to investigate the effects of shot noise (on the interferometer output signal) and thermal noise (in the feedback loop), and relate these to the phase measurement accuracy of the interferometer. A ‘best-case’ calculation indicates that phase noise of about 0.005λ is possible at input powers in the nanowatt region. In practice, we expect that noise levels will be higher than predicted (particularly at high-input powers) due to the effects of vibration and air turbulence.     

Simulated annealing in the presence of noise

In many practical optimization problems, evaluation of a solution is subject to noise, e.g., due to stochastic simulations or measuring errors. Therefore, heuristics are needed that are capable of handling such noise. This paper first reviews the state-of-the-art in applying simulated annealing to noisy optimization problems. Then, two new algorithmic variants are proposed: an improved version of stochastic annealing that allows for arbitrary annealing schedules, and a new approach called simulated annealing in noisy environments (SANE). The latter integrates ideas from statistical sequential selection in order to reduce the number of samples required for making an acceptance decision with sufficient statistical confidence. Finally, SANE is shown to significantly outperform other state-of-the-art simulated annealing techniques on a stochastic travelling salesperson problem.     

Validation of a complex urban noise model close to a road

The adequacy of a model for the sound level close to a road is investigated by comparing resulting predictions for the sound level over a building façade with measurements. The road model involves the road geometry (the number and positions of traffic lanes), the traffic structure (vehicle flow rates and their average speeds in each lane) and equivalent omnidirectional point sources representing the vehicles. It is found that the assumed road traffic noise source model is adequate only for predicting levels over the higher part of the façade. However the investigation has allowed definition of what improvements are needed in the road source modelling to enable adequate predictions over the whole of the building façade.     

Noise map validation by continuous noise monitoring

This paper presents a comparison of two noise assessments in the Gdansk agglomeration in Poland. One is based on the noise map produced by computational method for the city in 2007, the second one is based on real data from continuous measurements acquired by a noise monitoring network operating in the city since 2008. Differences are shown and analyzed. Additionally, seasonal and weekday influence on noise indicators (L_DEN, L_D, L_E and L_N) is analyzed and discussed in this paper.     

Noise reduction by dynamic signal preemphasis

In this work we propose an approach to reduce the digitization noise for a given dynamic range, i.e., the number of bits, of an analog to digital converter used in an NMR receiver. In this approach, the receiver gain is dynamically increased so that the free induction decay is recorded in such an emphasized way that the decaying signal is digitized using as many number of bits as possible, and at the stage of data processing, the original signal profile is restored by applying the apodization that compensates the effect of the preemphasis. This approach, which we call APodization after Receiver gain InCrement during Ongoing sequence with Time (APRICOT), is performed in a solid-state system containing a pair of (13)C spins, one of which is fully isotopically labeled and the other is naturally abundant. It is demonstrated that the exceedingly smaller peak buried in the digitization noise in the conventional approach can be revealed by employing APRICOT.     

Type-I intermittency with noise versus eyelet intermittency

In this Letter we compare the characteristics of two types of the intermittent behavior (type-I intermittency in the presence of noise and eyelet intermittency taking place in the vicinity of the chaotic phase synchronization boundary) supposed hitherto to be different phenomena. We show that these effects are the same type of dynamics observed under different conditions. The correctness of our conclusion is confirmed by the consideration of different sample systems, such as quadratic map, Van der Pol oscillator and Rössler system. Consideration of the problem concerning the upper boundary of the intermittent behavior also confirms the validity of the statement on the equivalence of type-I intermittency in the presence of noise and eyelet intermittency observed in the onset of phase synchronization.     

Modulation of synchronization dynamics in a network of self-sustained systems

This paper addresses the combined modulatory effects of non-nearest neighbor oscillators and local injection on synchronized states dynamics with their corresponding stability boundaries in a network of self-sustained systems. The Whittaker method and Floquet theory are used to predict analytically the stability of these states for identical and non-identical coupling parameters. Charts revealing the modulation of synchronized states and their stability boundaries at the second order of interaction in the cases of identical and non-identical coupling parameters are constructed with and without an external signal locally injected in the network. Numerical simulations validate and complement the results of analytical surveys. The limits of the stability regions are numerically explored when a small amount of Gaussian white noise is also injected in the network.     

Enhanced logical stochastic resonance under periodic forcing

It was demonstrated recently that noise in an optimal window allows a bistable system to operate reliably as reconfigurable logic gates (Murali et al., 2009) [1], as well as a memory device (Kohar and Sinha, 2012) [11]. Namely, in a range of moderate noise, the system can operate flexibly, both as a NAND/AND/OR/NOR gate and a Set Reset latch. Here we demonstrate how the width of the optimal noise window can be increased by utilizing the constructive interplay of noise and periodic forcing, namely noise in conjunction with a periodic drive yields consistent logic outputs for all noise strengths below a certain threshold. Thus we establish that in scenarios where noise level is below the minimum threshold required for logical stochastic resonance (or stochastic resonance in general), we can add a periodic forcing to obtain the desired effects. Lastly, we also show how periodic forcing reduces the switching time, leading to faster operation of devices and lower latency effects.