Interconnection between the dynamic range and information capacity of acousto-optic devices

Abstract

Information capacity of acousto-optic devices depends both on their resolving power and number of recognized gray scale levels. The least is defined by the device dynamic range. At the same time, the resolving power depends on the number of gray scale levels. Hence, a rather complicated interconnection exists between the device dynamic range and its information capacity. This interconnection is the subject to study in the present paper. The close interconnection but not the similar one takes place between the amount of transmitted information and the number of gray scale levels of the processed signal. The study of these interconnections has been performed proceeding from the information criterion of the acousto-optic device resolving power. It has been shown that the optimal number of gray scale levels exists under which the maximum amount of information can be transmitted by an acousto-optic device. This optimal number depends on the admissible probability of failure as well as on the level of noise. The obtained and discussed experimental data are well corresponded to the calculations made proceeding from the device resolving power information criterion.