Signal detection enhanced by comodulated noise

Signal detection in fluctuating background noise is a common problem in diverse fields of research and technology. It has been shown in hearing research that the detection of signals in noise that is correlated in amplitude across the frequency spectrum (comodulated) can be improved compared to uncorrelated background noise. We show that the mechanism leading to this effect is a general phenomenon which may be utilized in other areas where signal detection in comodulated noise needs to be done with a limited frequency resolution. Our model is based on neurophysiological experiments. The proposed signal detection scheme evaluates a fluctuating envelope, the statistics of which depend on the correlation structure across the spectrum of the noise. In our model, signal detection does not require a sophisticated neuronal network but can be accomplished through the encoding of the compressed stimulus envelope in the firing rate of neurons in the auditory system.