Detection and communications device employing stochastic resonance
OwnerAndrew D. Hibbsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensitive detector and detector system with multi-state element or elements employing the phenomenon of stochastic resonance to enhance signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and detector sensitivity. Signal output is enhanced by the addition of external noise at the input. A single detector element has these improved outputs. Several stochastic resonance elements may be connected in arrays to further increase SNR of the output, increase detector sensitivity, and linearize the relation between input and output.
Claims23
A detecting device employing the phenomenon of stochastic resonance to improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and detector sensitivity, said device comprising:
- a stochastic resonance element comprising a superconducting loop having at least one Josephson junction, said loop having at least two stable states of internal magnetic flux and being transitionable from one state to another;
- means for applying noise to said loop;
- means for coupling a magnetic flux input to said loop of unknown and insufficient amplitude to cause said loop to change state, the noise and flux input together in said loop inducing said loop to transition stochastically from one state to another to produce an output signal;
- and
- means for detecting the output signal of said loop indicative of the internal magnetic flux state transitions of said loop, thereby determining the existence of and information about the input magnetic flux.
A detecting device employing the phenomenon of stochastic resonance to improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and detector sensitivity, said device comprising:
- a plurality of stochastic resonance elements, each comprising a superconducting loop having at least one Josephson junction connected in an array, each said loop having at least two stable states of internal magnetic flux and being transitionable from one state to another;
- means for applying noise to each said loop;
- means for coupling a magnetic flux input to each said loop of unknown and insufficient amplitude to cause said loop to change state, the noise and flux input together in each said loop inducing each said loop to transition stochastically from one state to another to produce an output signal;
- and
- means for effectively combining the output signals of said loops and detecting the output signal of said array indicative of the combined internal magnetic flux state transitions of said array, thereby determining the existence of and information about the input magnetic flux.
A method for detecting a flux, the method employing the phenomenon of stochastic resonance to improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and detector sensitivity, said method comprising the steps of:
- applying a magnetic flux noise to a stochastic resonance element comprising a superconducting loop having at least one Josephson junction and being capable of existing in at least two distinct stable states, the loop being able to transition from one state to another;
- applying a magnetic flux input to the loop of unknown and insufficient amplitude to cause the loop to change state, the loop being induced to stochastically transition from one state to another by the combined noise and input flux, and producing an output signal;
- and
- detecting the output of the loop, which output is indicative of transitions in the internal magnetic flux state of the loop, thereby determining the existence of and information about the input magnetic flux.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.