COMMUNICATION CHARACTERISTICS OF PHOTOELECTRIC DETECTION.
Abstract
The probabilistic nature of the photoelectric conversion process augments other sources of noise in limiting the precision with which electromagnetic signals may be measured with a photoelectric detector. This report develops procedures for considering this added uncertainty in signal measurements of interest for radio type communication at optical frequencies. A probabilistic model of an ideal photodetector is used, in conjunction with the classical wave theory of thermal noise, to compute uncertainties associated with the lack of predictibility inherent in both photoelectric conversion and thermal processes. It is shown how the uncertainty in the detector output may be characterized by a signal-to-noise ratio, and also how decision criteria for signal detection may be based on the probability functions which characterize the detector output. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0628546
Entities
People
- Joseph Hamilton Deal Jr.
Organizations
- University of Delaware