Stimulator compensation and generation of Gaussian noise stimuli with defined amplitude spectra for studying input-output relations of sensory systems.

Abstract

Gaussian noise is an important stimulus for the study of biological systems, especially sensory and neural systems. Since these systems are inherently nonlinear, the properties of the noise strongly influence the outcome of the analysis. Therefore, it is crucial to use a well-defined and controlled noise stimulus. In this paper, we first use the example of an insect filiform sensillum, a simple mechanoreceptor with a single sensory cell, to show that changes in the amplitude and spectral properties of the noise stimulus indeed affect the linear transfer function of the sensillum. We then explain step-by-step how to use the inverse fast Fourier transform to generate a Gaussian noise that has an arbitrary user-defined amplitude spectrum, including a band-limited white noise with a perfectly sharp cutoff edge. Finally, we demonstrate how such a perfect band-limited Gaussian white noise stimulus can also be generated with a non-perfect stimulator using a simple procedure that compensates for the filtering properties of the stimulator. With this approach, one can generate well-defined Gaussian noise stimuli that can be adapted to any application. For example, one can generate visual, sound, or vibrational stimuli for experimental research in visual physiology, auditory physiology, and biotremology, as well as inputs for testing various models in theoretical research.