Abstract

A new generalized performance parameter for single-threshold detection systems is investigated that provides a more consistent measure of system performance than the conventional signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). It is shown explicitly that this parameter decreases monotonically as the Bayes risk and probability of error increase, and that it reduces to the SNR under appropriate conditions. An example is presented in which this parameter is monotonic with system performance, but the SNR is not. The analysis, which utilizes normalizing transformations, is also useful in the direct calculation of the Bayes risk, probability of error, and sensitivity, as is considered in detail subsequently ( P. R. Prucnal, Applied Optics 19, 3606 ( 1980)).

© 1980 Optical Society of America

Receiver performance evaluation using photocounting cumulants with application to atmospheric turbulence

Paul R. Prucnal
Appl. Opt. 19(21) 3611-3616 (1980)

Single-threshold detection of a random signal in noise with multiple independent observations. 1: Discrete case with application to optical communications

Paul R. Prucnal and Malvin Carl Teich
Appl. Opt. 17(22) 3576-3583 (1978)

Heterodyne receivers for atmospheric optical communications

James H. Churnside and Charles M. Mclntyre
Appl. Opt. 19(4) 582-590 (1980)

Methodology for target discrimination

Frank McNolty and Richard Clow
Appl. Opt. 19(6) 984-999 (1980)

Infrared surveillance. 1:Statistical model

Richard A. Steinberg
Appl. Opt. 19(1) 77-85 (1980)