Threshold error reduction in linear measurement devices by adding noise signal

The threshold error in electro-optical devices represents a serious problem in many applications and should be kept as low as possible for optimal system performance. In the past the authors have investigated the possibility of improving the performances of bistable systems by using Stochastic Resonance (SR) theory. In particular, the possibility of extending the threshold error reduction approach from bistable systems to a wider class of systems has been investigated for a significant improvement of the performances of several measurement devices such as optical sensors, environmental sensors, and proximity sensors. In this paper the reduction of threshold error in an optical transducer is taken into account. A methodology based on noise modulation of the input signal is presented. Experimental results are reported in order to emphasise the suitability of the proposed methodology.