Noise-benefit forbidden-interval theorems for threshold signal detectors based on cross correlations.

We show that the main forbidden interval theorems of stochastic resonance hold for a correlation performance measure. Earlier theorems held only for performance measures based on mutual information or the probability of error detection. Forbidden interval theorems ensure that a threshold signal detector benefits from deliberately added noise if the average noise does not lie in an interval that depends on the threshold value. We first show that this result holds for correlation for all finite-variance noise and for all forms of infinite-variance stable noise. A second forbidden-interval theorem gives necessary and sufficient conditions for a local noise benefit in a bipolar signal system when the noise comes from a location-scale family. A third theorem gives a general condition for a local noise benefit for arbitrary signals with finite second moments and for location-scale noise. This result also extends forbidden intervals to forbidden bands of parameters. A fourth theorem gives necessary and sufficient conditions for a local noise benefit when both the independent signal and noise are normal. A final theorem derives necessary and sufficient conditions for forbidden bands when using arrays of threshold detectors for arbitrary signals and location-scale noise.