Detection thresholds of random amplitude modulation

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the detection thresholds of random amplitude modulation (RAM) as a function of modulation and carrier frequency. Two experiments were performed. Experiment 1 concerned the detection thresholds of AM stimuli for only random amplitude changes at constant modulation frequency. Experiment 2 dealt with detection thresholds for simultaneous, random changes in amplitude and modulation frequency. The data obtained showed that for low modulation frequency, the detection thresholds for sinusoidal amplitude modulation (SAM), random amplitude modulation at constant modulation frequency [RAM(fm const)], and random amplitude and modulation frequency [RAM(fs random)] overlapped one another in the limit of SD. However, for higher carriers and modulation frequencies the RAM(fm const) thresholds were, in a limited range offm , much lower than the SAM ones. When random changes in modulation frequency were combined with random changes in amplitude, the RAM(fm random) thresholds decreased relative to the RAM(fm const) thresholds. a)Permanent address: Institute of Acoustics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan ul. Matejki 48/49, Poland.