Stochastic resonance on Newman-Watts networks of Hodgkin-Huxley neurons with local periodic driving

We study the phenomenon of stochastic resonance on Newman-Watts small-world networks consisting of biophysically realistic Hodgkin-Huxley neurons with a tunable intensity of intrinsic noise via voltage-gated ion channels embedded in neuronal membranes. Importantly thereby, the subthreshold periodic driving is introduced to a single neuron of the network, thus acting as a pacemaker trying to impose its rhythm on the whole ensemble. We show that there exists an optimal intensity of intrinsic ion channel noise by which the outreach of the pacemaker extends optimally across the whole network. This stochastic resonance phenomenon can be further amplified via fine-tuning of the small-world network structure, and depends significantly also on the coupling strength among neurons and the driving frequency of the pacemaker. In particular, we demonstrate that the noise-induced transmission of weak localized rhythmic activity peaks when the pacemaker frequency matches the intrinsic frequency of subthreshold oscillations. The implications of our findings for weak signal detection and information propagation across neural networks are discussed.     

Stochastic resonance on paced genetic regulatory small-world networks: effects of asymmetric potentials

We study the phenomenon of stochastic resonance on small-world networks consisting of bistable genetic regulatory units, whereby the external subthreshold periodic forcing is introduced as a pacemaker trying to impose its rhythm on the whole network through the single unit to which it is introduced. Without the addition of additive spatiotemporal noise, however, the whole network remains forever trapped in one of the two stable steady states of the local dynamics. We show that the correlation between the frequency of subthreshold pacemaker activity and the response of the network is resonantly dependent on the intensity of additive noise. The reported pacemaker driven stochastic resonance depends significantly on the asymmetry of the two potential wells characterizing the bistable dynamics, which can be tuned via a single system parameter. In particular, we show that the ratio between the clustering coefficient and the characteristic path length is a suitable quantity defining the ability of a small-world network to facilitate the outreach of the pacemaker-emitted subthreshold rhythm, but only if the asymmetry between the potentials is practically negligible. In case of substantially asymmetric potentials the impact of the small-world topology is less profound and cannot warrant an enhancement of stochastic resonance by units that are located far from the pacemaker.     

Stochastic resonance: numerical and experimental devices

An array of overdamped bistable oscillators with delay was studied numerically. Each site of the array is coupled directionally with the addition of white Gaussian noise. On the other hand, we compared the results with an array of coupled chain of experimental devices, also fed with Gaussian white noise. We observed for an optimal amount of noise and moderated coupling good transmission along the line without degradation.     

Stochastic resonance on a modular neuronal network of small-world subnetworks with a subthreshold pacemaker

We study the phenomenon of stochastic resonance on a modular neuronal network consisting of several small-world subnetworks with a subthreshold periodic pacemaker. Numerical results show that the correlation between the pacemaker frequency and the dynamical response of the network is resonantly dependent on the intensity of additive spatiotemporal noise. This effect of pacemaker-driven stochastic resonance of the system depends extensively on the local and the global network structure, such as the intra- and inter-coupling strengths, rewiring probability of individual small-world subnetwork, the number of links between different subnetworks, and the number of subnetworks. All these parameters play a key role in determining the ability of the network to enhance the noise-induced outreach of the localized subthreshold pacemaker, and only they bounded to a rather sharp interval of values warrant the emergence of the pronounced stochastic resonance phenomenon. Considering the rather important role of pacemakers in real-life, the presented results could have important implications for many biological processes that rely on an effective pacemaker for their proper functioning.     

Array-enhanced coherence resonance: nontrivial effects of heterogeneity and spatial independence of noise

We demonstrate the effect of coherence resonance in a heterogeneous array of coupled Fitz Hugh-Nagumo neurons. It is shown that coupling of such elements leads to a significantly stronger coherence compared to that of a single element. We report nontrivial effects of parameter heterogeneity and spatial independence of noise on array-enhanced coherence resonance; especially, we find that (i) the coherence increases as spatial correlation of the noise decreases, and (ii) inhomogeneity in the parameters of the array enhances the coherence. Our results have the implication that generic heterogeneity and background noise can play a constructive role to enhance the time precision of firing in neural systems.     

Reconstitution d'un profil d'eclairement echantillonne par une ligne de micro-photodiodes

We have studied experimentally the spatial photosensitivity distribution of a self-scanned photodiode array. Using this data, we have calculated a reconstruction function which restores exactly the profile of a light distribution sampled by an array infinite extent under the Nyquist conditions. We briefly discuss the noise limitations and the truncation effects introduced by the finite number of diodes of a real array.     

一种矢量水听器基阵模拟器的设计

矢量水听器的每个阵元同时测量声场中声矢量和质点振速的3个分量,相对于声压水听器阵来说,矢量阵获取声场中更多的信息。利用矢量阵所获得速度场的信息可以去除目标方位估计中的 180°模糊。模拟器可以模拟实际海洋环境中目标的辐射特性和噪声特性,应用模拟器可以有效地缩短声纳的研制周期。本文提出一种矢量水听器基阵模拟器的设计方案,该方案解决了矢量阵中宽带信号的90°移相问题、时延精确控制问题和宽带噪声的谱状控制问题。     

起降客机噪声源识别的平面阵设计

针对起降客机的噪声源识别,给出了平面多臂对数螺旋阵的设计过程。多臂对数螺旋阵可以在较宽的分析频带内保持较小的主瓣宽度,同时平均旁瓣水平较低,从而具有良好的宽带噪声源识别性能,但其阵型设计中需要考虑的参数较多。本文以ARJ21客机起降过程中的主起落架噪声源识别为例,研究了多臂对数螺旋阵各参数对其噪声源识别性能的影响。所给出的阵列设计流程可以为飞行客机的噪声源识别,尤其是多子阵嵌套的平面阵设计提供参考。     

Delay-aided stochastic multiresonances on scale-free FitzHugh-Nagumo neuronal networks

The stochastic resonance in paced time-delayed scale-free FitzHugh-Nagumo(FHN) neuronal networks is investigated.We show that an intermediate intensity of additive noise is able to optimally assist the pacemaker in imposing its rhythm on the whole ensemble.Furthermore,we reveal that appropriately tuned delays can induce stochastic multiresonances,appearing at every integer multiple of the pacemaker’s oscillation period.We conclude that fine-tuned delay lengths and locally acting pacemakers are vital for ensuring optimal conditions for stochastic resonance on complex neuronal networks.     

Robust supergain beamforming for circular array via second-order cone programming

The phenomenon of supergain for a circular array and its robust beamforming are presented. The coplanar superdirective array gain of the circular array, although it is not so extreme as an endfire line array, outperforms a lot over that of a conventional delay-and-sum beamformer in isotropic noise fields when the inter-element spacings are much smaller than one-half wavelength. However, optimum beamforming algorithms can be extremely sensitive to slight errors in array characteristics. The performance are known to degrade significantly if some of underlying assumptions on the sensor array is violated. Therefore, white noise gain constraint is used to improve the robustness of the supergain beamformer against random errors. We show that the design of the weight vector of robust supergain beamformer can be reformulated as a form of second-order cone programming and resolved efficiently via the well-established interior point method. Results of computer simulation for a 24-element circular array confirm satisfactory performance of the approach proposed in this paper.     

Optimum array design to maximize Fisher information for bearing estimation

Source bearing estimation is a common application of linear sensor arrays. The Cramer-Rao bound (CRB) sets a lower bound on the achievable mean square error (MSE) of any unbiased bearing estimate. In the spatially white noise case, the CRB is minimized by placing half of the sensors at each end of the array. However, many realistic ocean environments have a mixture of both white noise and spatially correlated noise. In shallow water environments, the correlated ambient noise can be modeled as cylindrically isotropic. This research designs a fixed aperture linear array to maximize the bearing Fisher information (FI) under these noise conditions. The FI is the inverse of the CRB, so maximizing the FI minimizes the CRB. The elements of the optimum array are located closer to the array ends than uniform spacing, but are not as extreme as in the white noise case. The optimum array results from a trade off between maximizing the array bearing sensitivity and minimizing output noise power variation over the bearing. Depending on the source bearing, the resulting improvement in MSE performance of the optimized array over a uniform array is equivalent to a gain of 2-5 dB in input signal-to-noise ratio.     

Array-enhanced logical stochastic resonance subject to colored noise

This paper proposes an approach that uses a parallel array to improve the reliability and robustness of logical stochastic resonance subject to colored noise. The experimental results demonstrate that (i) the increase of array size can extend the optimal range of noise intensity and increase the maximum probability of obtaining correct logic operation. (ii) The optimal range of noise correlation time is broadened with the increase of array size. (iii) The main difference between logical stochastic resonance subject to white noise and colored noise is that the increase of noise correlation time broadens the optimal range of noise intensity when the stochastic noise is colored noise. At the same time, the maximum probability of obtaining correct logic operation is close to 1. Therefore, reliable and robust logic gate can be realized under a certain array size.     

Pacemaker-guided noise-induced spatial periodicity in excitable media

We study the impact of subthreshold periodic pacemaker activity and internal noise on the spatial dynamics of excitable media. For this purpose, we examine two systems that both consist of diffusively coupled units. In the first case, the local dynamics of the units is driven by a simple one-dimensional model of excitability with a piece-wise linear potential. In the second case, a more realistic biological system is studied, and the local dynamics is driven by a model for calcium oscillations. Internal noise is introduced via the τ-leap stochastic integration procedure and its intensity is determined by the finite size of each constitutive system unit. We show that there exists an intermediate level of internal stochasticity for which the localized pacemaker activity maps best into coherent periodic waves, whose spatial frequency is uniquely determined by the local subthreshold forcing. Via an analytical treatment of the simple minimal model for the excitable spatially extended system, we explicitly link the pacemaker activity with the spatial dynamics and determine necessary conditions that warrant the observation of the phenomenon in excitable media. Our results could prove useful for the understanding of interplay between local and global agonists affecting the functioning of tissue and organs.     

参量阵扬声器在管道噪声控制中的研究*

为了解决管道有源噪声控制中声反馈造成的系统复杂度和计算量的增加,文中引入参量阵扬声器作为次级声源,利用其强指向性减小控制系统的声反馈。为了验证该方法可行性,本文分别在直管和L管中,对600 Hz单频噪声和频率范围为500 Hz~1000 Hz的窄带噪声进行了管道有源噪声控制,同时测量了参量阵扬声器的管内声场和降噪范围。结果表明,参量阵扬声器声反馈小,在没有声反馈补偿的条件下对单频噪声的降噪效果基本达到了声反馈补偿条件下普通扬声器的降噪效果,对窄带噪声的降噪效果稍差。此外,通过测量管道声场和降噪量,确定了参量阵扬声器的降噪区域为误差传感器下游整个管道,降噪面积为管道整个截面。这说明参量阵扬声器作为次级声源降低了系统的复杂度和算法的计算量,并取得了较好的降噪效果。     

Coherent aperture synthesis for incoherent source

We propose a refinement of the method for aperture synthesis for an incoherent source, imparting selectivity and noise immunity to the method. Instead of measuring the phase difference between the signals of the array receivers, we measure the array-averaged phase difference between neighboring receivers by searching for the maximum of the magnitude of the moving array’s response to the source signal during its direction-of-arrival-scanning (phasing). This procedure is carried out after incoherent accumulation. The gain in noise immunity is determined by the gain in the array with the addition of the gain in incoherent accumulation. The size of this gain in the experiment was on the order of 20 dB. The method retains applicability to wideband signals and the possibility of observing other incoherent signals. We demonstrate the possibility of high angular resolution with the synthesized antenna of the source, which does not possess the perfect time coherency of the source and other sources coherent with it. Owing to phase averaging over the array aperture, we obtain an increase in the method’s stability to reverberation. We present results of simulation and applicability of the method in full-scale experiments.     

Input-output gain of collective response in an uncoupled parallel array of saturating dynamical subsystems

We explore the collective response of an uncoupled parallel array of saturating dynamical subsystems to a noisy periodic or random signal. Numerical simulation results show that a parallel array of nonlinear saturating subsystems can enhance the signal transmission via tuning the internal noise intensity and increasing the array size. The input-output gain larger than unity, described by the signal-to-noise ratio for a periodic signal or the correlation coefficient for a random signal, is observed in a form of array stochastic resonance. This stochastic resonance phenomenon can be useful for practical information-processing systems.     

Acoustic multipath structure in direct zone of deep water and bearing estimation of tow ship noise of towed line array

In the towed line array sonar system, the tow ship noise is the main factor that affects the sonar performance. Conventional noise cancelling methods assume that the noise is towards the endfire direction of the array. An acoustic experiment employing a towed line array is conducted in the western Pacific Ocean, and a strange bearing-splitting phenomenon of the tow ship noise is observed in the array. The tow ship noise is split into multiple noise signals whose bearings are distributed between 10° and 90° deviating from the endfire direction. The multiple interferences increase the difficulty in recognizing the target for the sonar operator and noise cancellation. Therefore, making the mechanism clear and putting forward the tow ship noise splitting bearing estimation method are imperative. In this paper, the acoustic multi-path structure of the tow ship in deep water is analyzed. Then it is pointed out that the bearing-splitting phenomenon is caused by the main lobe of direct rays and bottom-reflected rays, as well as several side lobes of direct rays. Meanwhile, the indistinguishability between the elevation angle and the bearing angle due to the axial symmetry of a strict horizontal line array causes the bearing to deviate from the endfire direction. Based on the theory above, a method of estimating bearing of the tow ship noise in deep water is proposed. The theoretical analysis results accord with the experimental results, which helps to identify the target and provide correct initial bearing guidance for noise cancelation methods.     

Stochastic resonance in a parallel array of linear elements

This paper studies stochastic resonance (SR) phenomenon in a parallel array of linear elements with noise. Employing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) theory, it obtains the output SNR, and investigates the effects on the output SNR of the system with signal-independent noise and signal-dependent noise respectively. Numerical results show: the curve of the output SNR is monotone with signal-independent noise; whereas SR appears with signal-dependent noise. Moreover, the output SNR enhances rapidly with the increase of N which is the number of elements in this parallel array linear system. This result may provide smart array of simple linear sensors which are capable of acting as noise-aided amplifiers.     

高增益对角减载波束形成方法研究

实际的海洋噪声包括不相关噪声成分和相关噪声成分,针对不相关噪声仅仅影响接收数据协方差矩阵对角元素的这一现象,提出一种基于对角减载技术的高增益最小方差无畸变响应法(minimum variance distortionless response,MVDR).在稳健性足够的前提下,首先,按照一定准则选取约束量,利用加权向量范数约束法保证方法的稳健性。然后,利用牛顿迭代法计算得到对角减载系数。最后,将减去对角减载系数的协方差矩阵应用到MVDR波束形成方法中。仿真和海试数据处理结果表明,对角减载MVDR波束形成方法在保证稳健性的同时,提高了阵增益和多目标分辨能力。通过调整减载系数,能够在稳健性与阵增益之间进行折中。