Zero-crossing rates of functions of Gaussian processes

Abstract

Formulas for the expected zero-crossing rates of random processes that are monotone transformations of Gaussian processes can be obtained by using two different techniques. The first technique involves derivation of the expected zero-crossing rate for discrete-time processes and extends the result of the continuous-time case by using an appropriate limiting argument. The second is a direct method that makes successive use of R. Price's (1958) theorem, the chain rule for derivatives, and S.O. Rice's (1954) formula for the expected zero-crossing rate of a Gaussian process. A constant, which depends on the variance of the transformed process and a second-moment of its derivative, is derived. Multiplying Rice's original expression by this constant yields the zero-crossing formula for the transformed process. The two methods can be used for the general level-crossing problem of random processes that are monotone functions of a Gaussian process. >