Stochastic resonance for an optimal detector with phase noise

A stochastic resonance effect, under the form of a noise-improved performance, is shown possible for an optimal detector. This is established with a nonlinear signal-noise mixture where the noise acts on the phase of a periodic signal. The optimal detector, achieving minimal probability of detection error, is explicitly derived. Conditions are exhibited where this minimal probability of error is reduced when the noise level is raised. These results contribute a new step in the investigation of stochastic resonance and in the inventory of its potentialities for nonlinear signal processing. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.