Threshold devices: Fractal noise and neural talk

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
We consider the statistical properties of random pulse trains generated by noisy signals imposed on a threshold device—a simple model for the information processing of a single neuron. It is shown that Markovian noise generates self-similar bursts characterized by algebraic decaying correlations and power spectra. It is further shown that the role of noise is ambiguous. For subthreshold signals, noise can enhance the performance of the threshold device, whereas above threshold noise always degrades a signal.