Improved detection of magnetic signals by a MEMS sensor using stochastic resonance

PLoS One. 2014 Oct 15;9(10):e109534. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109534. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

We introduce the behavior of the electrical output response of a magnetic field sensor based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology under different levels of controlled magnetic noise. We explored whether a particular level of magnetic noise applied on the vicinity of the MEMS sensor can improve the detection of subthreshold magnetic fields. We examined the increase in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of such detected magnetic fields as a function of the magnetic noise intensity. The data disclosed an inverted U-like graph between the SNR and the applied magnetic noise. This finding shows that the application of an intermediate level of noise in the environment of a MEMS magnetic field sensor improves its detection capability of subthreshold signals via the stochastic resonance phenomenon.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Magnetic Fields*
  • Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / instrumentation*
  • Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / methods
  • Models, Neurological
  • Signal-To-Noise Ratio
  • Stochastic Processes*

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the grants PIFI-VIEP-CONACYT 153583 (EM), Cátedra Marcos Moshinsky (EM), Cuerpos Académicos PROMEP BUAP (AF, EM), Vicerrectoría de Docencia BUAP (AF, EM), Vicerrectoría de Investigación y de Estudios de Posgrado VIEP BUAP (AF, EM), PROMEP 4543 EXB 468 (AHM) and PROMEP-Red: “Instrumentación-de-Sensores-para-Aplicaciones-de-Fisiología-y-Biomedicina” (AHM, EAGD, AF, EM) México. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.