Signal Degradation Research Articles

Quantifying degradation in animal acoustic signals with the R package baRulho

Abstract Animal acoustic signals are shaped by selection to convey information based on their tempo, intensity, and frequency. However, sound signals degrade as they transmit over space and across physical obstacles (e.g., vegetation or infrastructure), which affects communication potential. Therefore, propagation experiments are designed to quantify changes in signal structure in a given habitat by broadcasting and re‐recording animal sounds at increasing distances. We introduce ‘baRulho’, an R package designed to simplify the implementation of sound propagation experiments. We highlight the package features with a case study testing the effects of habitat and acoustic structure on signal propagation, two common factors evaluated in such experiments. Synthesized sounds that varied in frequency, duration, and frequency and amplitude modulation were broadcast and re‐recorded at five increasing distances in open and closed understory at the Bosque de Tlalpan, Mexico City. With this data, we showcase baRulho's functions to prepare master sound files, annotate re‐recorded test sounds, as well as to calculate and visualize measures that quantify the degradation of acoustic signals in the time and frequency domain. Degradation measures in baRulho adequately quantified acoustic degradation, following predicted patterns of sound propagation in natural environments. Re‐recorded signals degraded less in open understory compared to closed understory, with higher‐frequency sounds exhibiting more degradation. Furthermore, frequency modulated sounds degraded to a greater extent than pure tones. The increased attenuation and reverberation observed in higher frequency sounds and closed habitats suggest that factors such as absorption and scattering by vegetation play significant roles in propagation patterns. The R package ‘baRulho’ provides an open‐source, user‐friendly suite of tools designed to facilitate the analysis of animal sound degradation. Notably, baRulho offers similar results to other sound analysis software but with significantly reduced processing time. Moreover, the package minimizes the potential for user error through automated test file annotation and verification procedures. We hope that baRulho can help enhance accessibility to propagation experiments within the research community, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of the ecological drivers of animal communication systems.

Exceptional Absorption in a Deep‐Subwavelength Plasmonic Film

AbstractIn the realm of photonic integrated circuit design, on‐chip absorbers are imperative for preventing signal degradation caused by unintended stray photons, which induce signal crosstalk and operational errors. An ideal on‐chip optical absorber is expected to have a superior absorption capability across a wide range of frequencies while maintaining a minimal footprint. However, widely employed optical thin‐film absorbers suffer from limited absorption due to inherent refractive index mismatches and short light‐matter interaction lengths. Here a ≈45‐nm thin metalayer is demonstrated that exhibits uniformly high absorption over a broad wavelength range from 350 nm to 4.5 µm in a wide range of incident angles up to over 60 degrees. The metalayer's performance notably exceeds the absorption predicted by standard plane‐wave optics theories, potentially attributing to the Anderson localization effect. Integration of such a deep‐subwavelength metalayer absorber into photonic circuits will facilitate the creation of highly efficient photonic chips, propelling the advancement of optical communication and computing.

Measurement and Analysis of Interconnects' Resonance and Signal/Power Integrity Degradation in Glass Packages.

In this article, resonance phenomena of high-speed interconnects and power delivery networks in glass packages are measured and analyzed. The resonances are generated in the interconnection by the physical dimension, cancelation of reactance components, and modes. When the resonances are generated in the operation frequency band, the signal/power integrity of the interconnect can be affected. As such, resonances generated in high-speed interconnects increase insertion loss, which degrades signal integrity. Also, resonances of the power delivery network (PDN) associated with boundary conditions increase PDN impedance, which degrades power integrity by generating power/ground noise and return current discontinuity of through vias. Recently, glass packaging has been gaining more attention due to its advantages associated with low substrate loss and large dimensions compared to silicon wafers. However, the low loss of the substrate and process variation may affect the resonance properties of interconnects. The resonance impacts on signal/power integrity must be analyzed, and mitigation plans should be proposed to maximize the advantages of the glass packaging technology. To analyze the resonance impacts on signal/power integrity, various glass package test vehicles are designed and fabricated. The fabricated test vehicles include transmission lines, PDNs, and patterns to measure an interaction between the through via and PDN. First, transmission line patterns that have 50-ohm characteristic impedance are measured. Due to the process variations, quarter-wave resonances are monitored, and at those frequencies, a sharp increase in insertion loss is observed, which deteriorates the signal integrity of the interconnect. Various PDN patterns are measured in the frequency domain, and regardless of the PDN shape, PDN impedance peaks are observed at the mode resonance frequencies. Due to a low-loss characteristic of the glass substrate, sharp PDN impedance peaks are generated at these frequencies. Also, at these frequencies, both signal and power integrity degradations are measured and analyzed. To fully benefit from the advantages of glass packaging technology, a thorough electrical performance analysis should be conducted to avoid resonances in the target frequency range.

RF System Advancements for Satellite and Space Communications: Integrating AI with High-Frequency and Hybrid Systems

With the rapid evolution of satellite communications, the use of advanced radio frequency (RF) systems has become pivotal in addressing emerging challenges. High-frequency bands, such as millimeter-wave (mmWave) and terahertz (THz), enable high-throughput data transmission but introduce new complexities such as Doppler shifts and signal degradation. Hybrid satellite-terrestrial networks are expanding the possibilities for 5G and 6G backhauls, while low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations improve latency- sensitive applications. This paper explores RF system advancements, including beamforming, MIMO, and AI-driven optimizations. Additionally, it discusses challenges like energy efficiency, atmospheric attenuation, and spectrum management. The paper concludes with insights into future trends such as quantum RF systems, deep- space communications, and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces. Keywords – Satellite Communications, RF Systems, Millimeter-Wave, Terahertz, Beamforming, AI-Driven Optimization, Hybrid Networks, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), Cognitive Radios, Network Slicing, LEO Satellites, 5G/6G Backhaul, Doppler Mitigation, Energy-Efficient RF.

Normalization of Retinal Birefringence Scanning Signals.

Signal amplitudes obtained from retinal scanning depend on numerous factors. Working with polarized light to interrogate the retina, large parts of which are birefringent, is even more prone to artifacts. This article demonstrates the necessity of using normalization when working with retinal birefringence scanning signals in polarization-sensitive ophthalmic instruments. After discussing the pros and cons of employing a normalization signal obtained by means of added optoelectronic hardware, the study shifts over and focuses on a numerical normalization method based on merely the s- and p-polarization components without additional optical or electronic hardware. This minimizes the adverse effects of optical asymmetries, the presence of certain instrumental noise, device-to-device variability, pupil diameter, retinal reflectivity, subject-to-subject variations, the position of the eye in the exit pupil of the device, and even signal degradation by cataracts. Results were experimentally and numerically tested on human data from 15 test subjects and clearly demonstrated the signal standardization achieved by numerical normalization. This is expected to lead to substantial improvement in algorithms and decision-making software, especially in ophthalmic screening instruments for pediatric applications, without added hardware cost. The proposed normalization method is also applicable to other polarization-sensitive optical instruments.

Operation and performance of the ATLAS tile calorimeter in LHC Run 2

The ATLAS tile calorimeter (TileCal) is the hadronic sampling calorimeter covering the central region of the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). This paper gives an overview of the calorimeter’s operation and performance during the years 2015–2018 (Run 2). In this period, ATLAS collected proton–proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV and the TileCal was 99.65% efficient for data-taking. The signal reconstruction, the calibration procedures, and the detector operational status are presented. The performance of two ATLAS trigger systems making use of TileCal information, the minimum-bias trigger scintillators and the tile muon trigger, is discussed. Studies of radiation effects allow the degradation of the output signals at the end of the LHC and HL-LHC operations to be estimated. Finally, the TileCal response to isolated muons, hadrons and jets from proton–proton collisions is presented. The energy and time calibration methods performed excellently, resulting in good stability and uniformity of the calorimeter response during Run 2. The setting of the energy scale was performed with an uncertainty of 2%. The results demonstrate that the performance is in accordance with specifications defined in the Technical Design Report.

Revolutionizing Free-Space Optics: A Survey of Enabling Technologies, Challenges, Trends, and Prospects of Beyond 5G Free-Space Optical (FSO) Communication Systems.

As the demand for high-speed, low-latency communication continues to grow, free-space optical (FSO) communication has gained prominence as a promising solution for supporting the next generation of wireless networks, especially in the context of the 5G and beyond era. It offers high-speed, low-latency data transmission over long distances without the need for a physical infrastructure. However, the deployment of FSO systems faces significant challenges, such as atmospheric turbulence, weather-induced signal degradation, and alignment issues, all of which can impair performance. This paper offers a comprehensive survey of the enabling technologies, challenges, trends, and future prospects for FSO communication in next-generation networks, while also providing insights into the current mitigation strategies. The survey explores the critical enabling technologies such as adaptive optics, modulation schemes, and error correction codes that are revolutionizing FSO communication and addressing the unique challenges of FSO links. Also, the integration of FSO with radio frequency, millimeter-wave, and Terahertz technologies is explored, emphasizing hybrid solutions that enhance reliability and coverage. Additionally, the paper highlights emerging trends, such as the integration of FSO with artificial intelligence-driven optimization techniques and the growing role of machine learning in enhancing FSO system performance for dynamic environments. By analyzing the current trends and identifying key challenges, this paper emphasizes the prospects of FSO communication in the evolving landscape of 5G and future networks. In this regard, it assesses the potential of FSO to meet the demands for high-speed, low-latency communication and offers insights into its scalability, reliability, and deployment strategies for 5G and beyond. The paper concludes by identifying the open challenges and future research directions critical to realizing the full potential of FSO in next-generation communication systems.

From synthetic vesicles to living cells: Anchoring conducting polymers to cell membrane.

Coupling biology with electronics is emerging as a transformative approach in developing advanced medical treatments, with examples ranging from implants for treating neurological disorders to biosensors for real-time monitoring of physiological parameters. The electrodes used for these purposes often face challenges such as signal degradation due to biofouling and limited biocompatibility, which can lead to inaccurate readings and tissue damage over time. Conducting organic polymers are a promising alternative because of their mechanical, chemical, and physical properties, which better match the ones of biological systems. They also can be synthesized in vivo to form bio-templated structures through biologically compatible manufacturing processes. Here, we report a method to achieve conductive polymer structures anchored to cell membranes, creating an intimate interface between the polymer electrode and single cells. We show that the polymer is nontoxic to cells and does not interfere with its activation, thereby making this process an interesting alternative to existing materials and electrode techniques.

Allometric Constraint Predominates Over the Acoustic Adaptation Hypothesis in a Radiation of Neotropical Treefrogs.

Male frogs emit stereotypical advertisement calls to attract mates and deter conspecific rivals. The evolution of these calls is thought to be linked to anatomical constraints and the acoustic characteristics of their surroundings. The acoustic adaptation hypothesis (AAH) posits that species evolve calls that maximize propagation distance and reduce signal degradation in the environment where they are emitted. We applied phylogenetic comparative analyses to study the association of body size, vegetation density, type of aquatic ecosystem, and calling site on the evolution of acoustic traits in Cophomantini, a large radiation of Neotropical treefrogs (Hylidae). We obtained and analyzed body size, acoustic, and habitat data from a total of 112 species (58% of Cophomantini), using the most inclusive available phylogeny. We found a significant negative correlation between peak frequency, body size, and calling site, but contrary to the predictions of the AAH, we did not find support for associations among call traits and environmental characteristics. Although spectral allometry is explained by an anatomical constraint, it could also be maintained by female choice. We recommend that future studies strive to incorporate factors such as female mate preferences, eavesdropping by predators or parasites, and genetic drift.

An Adaptation-Aware Interactive Learning Approach for Multiple Operational Condition-Based Degradation Modeling.

Although degradation modeling has been widely applied to use multiple sensor signals to monitor the degradation process and predict the remaining useful lifetime (RUL) of operating machinery units, three challenging issues remain. One challenge is that units in engineering cases usually work under multiple operational conditions, causing the distribution of sensor signals to vary over conditions. It remains unexplored to characterize time-varying conditions as a distribution shift problem. The second challenge is that sensor signal fusion and degradation status modeling are separated into two independent steps in most of the existing methods, which ignores the intrinsic correlation between the two parts. The last challenge is how to find an accurate health index (HI) of units using previous knowledge of degradation. To tackle these issues, this article proposes an adaptation-aware interactive learning (AAIL) approach for degradation modeling. First, a condition-invariant HI is developed to handle time-varying operation conditions. Second, an interactive framework based on the fusion and degradation model is constructed, which naturally integrates a supervised learner and an unsupervised learner. To estimate the model parameters of AAIL, we propose an interactive training algorithm that shares learned degradation and fusion information during the model training process. A case study that uses the degradation data set of aircraft engines demonstrates that the proposed AAIL outperforms related benchmark methods.

Design of Microstrip Antenna Array for Autonomous Vehicles

The utilization of Autonomous vehicles has been rapidly increasing in both civilian and military applications. This is primarily due to their exceptional communication capabilities with ground clients, as well as their inherent properties such as adaptability, mobility, and flexibility. To effectively monitor and control the deployment of Autonomous vehicles, a 5G wireless network can be utilized alongside other devices as user equipment (UE). Through the utilization of a highly directive microstrip patch antenna (MPA) functioning within a dedicated frequency band, the Autonomous vehicle is able to establish effective long-range communication, overcoming signal degradation and minimizing interference from other channels within a confined area. The adoption of MPA is especially advised for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) due to its characteristics such as being lightweight, cost-efficient, small in size, and having a flat structure. This study details the development and simulation of a highly directive single-band 1x2 and 1x4 antenna array designed to operate at a 5.8 GHz frequency specifically tailored for Autonomous vehicle use. To enhance directivity and ensure structural robustness, the Roger RT5880 material has been utilized as a substrate, known for its lower dielectric constant.. The results demonstrate a high gain of 9.16 dBi and 11.4 dBi for the 1x2 and 1x4 antenna arrays respectively, while maintaining a compact size. The simulated 1x4 antenna array was fabricated using the Roger RT5880 material, and this array was tested in the microwave communication's laboratory at College of Engineering, Al-Nahrain University. The antenna presents good results by means of return losses (-26.672 dB) which equivalent to VSWR of 1.098.

Assessing the impact of overhead agrivoltaic systems on GNSS signal performance for precision agriculture

Agrivoltaic systems, which integrate solar energy production with agricultural practices, present a sustainable solution to optimize land use. However, specific configurations, such as overhead solar panels, can obstruct Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals, which are vital for precision agriculture technologies. This study investigates the impact of an agrivoltaic system on GNSS signal performance compared to a conventional orchard in Kressbronn am Bodensee, Germany, using data from multiple GNSS constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou). Key metrics such as carrier-to-noise density ratio (C/N₀), positional accuracy, time to first fix (TTFF), and dilution of precision (DOP) were analyzed. The results showed significant signal degradation under the overhead agrivoltaic system, particularly in C/N₀ and positional accuracy. While there were no significant differences in DOP metrics or TTFF, the average C/N₀ decreased from 30.62 dB-Hz in the conventional orchard to 26.92 dB-Hz in the agrivoltaic system. Moreover, the average of satellites with C/N₀ values below 24 dB-Hz was notably higher in the agrivoltaic area, indicating critical signal degradation. In addition, relying on a single constellation, like GPS, may not provide enough satellites for reliable GNSS performance.Despite the lower signal quality, the average number of satellites with C/N₀ above 24 dB-Hz remained over 22 in both areas. Combined with slight or no significant differences in other metrics compared to the conventional orchard, this suggests GNSS-based systems can support precision agriculture tasks within the agrivoltaic environment. The study highlights the importance of addressing signal interference to avoid hindering the integration of drones, robots, and other advanced technologies in agrivoltaics management, and suggests alternative solutions, such as Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) correction or Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) techniques, to enhance performance. These findings are critical as agrivoltaic adoption grows, requiring a balance between solar energy production and the operational needs of precision agriculture.

Co-transmission of optically-carried 5G NR signal and over 14-W power light via standard single-mode fiber

Co-transmission of optically-carried broadband wireless communication signal and power light in standard single-mode fiber (SSMF) is the supporting technology for realizing remotely-powered antenna units in the next-generation wireless communication networks. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the co-transmission of optically-carried fifth-generation new radio (5G NR) signal and over 14-W power light via a spool of SSMF with a length of 1 km. Thereinto, the optical power transmission efficiency (OPTE), which is restricted by stimulated Brillouin scattering, is increased via extending the linewidth of the power light to 1 nm. Additionally, the in-band interference and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) degradation of the optically-carried 5G NR signal, which are attributed to the noise transference and the modulation instability induced by the Kerr effect and the stimulated Raman scattering effect, are suppressed through group-velocity dispersion management via carefully designing the wavelengths of the signal light and the power light. In the simulation, a 7-dB reduction in the noise floor and a significant rejection of the spurious signals are achieved via shifting the signal light wavelength from 1550 nm to 1310 nm. In the experiment, the OPTE of the power light reaches around 70%, and the received power fluctuation is smaller than 1% within 90 min. The received maximum electrical power is larger than 0.9 W with a regulated voltage of 12 V, which is sufficient to power the minimalist antenna unit. Besides, the error vector magnitude (EVM) and the adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) of the received 256-level quadrature amplitude modulation (256-QAM) 5G NR signal are below 2.5% and −40 dBc, respectively. The experimental results conclusively demonstrate the feasibility of the co-transmission link to enable remote power supply for the minimalist antenna unit in the beyond fifth-generation and sixth-generation fronthaul networks.

Deep-Learning-Based Approach in Cancer-Region Assessment from HER2-SISH Breast Histopathology Whole Slide Images.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is widely regarded as the gold standard for evaluating human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in breast cancer; however, it poses challenges such as the need for specialized training and issues related to signal degradation from dye quenching. Silver-enhanced in situ hybridization (SISH) serves as an automated alternative, employing permanent staining suitable for bright-field microscopy. Determining HER2 status involves distinguishing between "Amplified" and "Non-Amplified" regions by assessing HER2 and centromere 17 (CEN17) signals in SISH-stained slides. This study is the first to leverage deep learning for classifying Normal, Amplified, and Non-Amplified regions within HER2-SISH whole slide images (WSIs), which are notably more complex to analyze compared to hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides. Our proposed approach consists of a two-stage process: first, we evaluate deep-learning models on annotated image regions, and then we apply the most effective model to WSIs for regional identification and localization. Subsequently, pseudo-color maps representing each class are overlaid, and the WSIs are reconstructed with these mapped regions. Using a private dataset of HER2-SISH breast cancer slides digitized at 40× magnification, we achieved a patch-level classification accuracy of 99.9% and a generalization accuracy of 78.8% by applying transfer learning with a Vision Transformer (ViT) model. The robustness of the model was further evaluated through k-fold cross-validation, yielding an average performance accuracy of 98%, with metrics reported alongside 95% confidence intervals to ensure statistical reliability. This method shows significant promise for clinical applications, particularly in assessing HER2 expression status in HER2-SISH histopathology images. It provides an automated solution that can aid pathologists in efficiently identifying HER2-amplified regions, thus enhancing diagnostic outcomes for breast cancer treatment.

Porous PDMS-ZnO Wearable Gas Sensor for Acetone Biomarker Detection and Breath Analysis.

In response to the growing demand for global health monitoring, we report a nonintrusive health detection method using a compact, conformal wearable ultraviolet (UV)-assisted gas-sensing system based on an intrinsically flexible porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-zinc oxide (ZnO) composite layer (PPZL) for the breath acetone (BrAce) detection and breath event analysis. The enhanced acetone response is attributed to the synergistic effect of UV irradiation and the high surface area of the porous structure, which also improves the mechanical robustness. The UV-assisted wearable sensor reliably detects acetone concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 ppm at room temperature under 4.05 mW/cm2 UV intensity, even under mechanical strains such as a bending radius of 5 mm and 60% tensile strain. It accurately analyzes different breathing patterns (12-20 breaths per minute) and BrAce concentrations, maintaining a stable performance over 20 days with less than 5% signal degradation. The sensor exhibits response and recovery times of average 110-150 and 130-180 s, respectively, and maintains a consistent 3 ppm BrAce response under varying humidity levels up to 70% relative humidity, ensuring accurate detection of BrAce concentrations during real-world breath tests. Additionally, the sensor targets only specific gases, and the sensor's selectivity is not a key concern. This flexible acetone gas sensor offers a portable solution for health management and a fabrication method for designing flexible metal oxide materials.

Rain Fade Analysis on High Frequency Signal: A Review

A reliable transmission of high-frequency signal of more than 10 GHz is crucial for various communication systems, especially in the era of advanced technologies and wireless communications. Rain-induced signal fades pose a significant challenge to signal integrity, making accurate rain rate measurement methods essential for system optimization. This review critically examines the existing techniques for measuring rain rate and the applicability in analysing high-frequency signal fades. Several case studies and practical examples are presented to illustrate the significance of accurate rain rate measurements in predicting and mitigating signal degradation. Researchers are working to enhance existing models to better fit local environmental variables based on all the case studies. Having an accurate estimation of the level of rain attenuation in the signal is one of the components to ensuring the quality of service of a communication signal. Signal availability can be ensured with suitable rain attenuation modelling, assuming that all other communication elements are functioning as planned.

Enhanced Performance Analysis of 120 Gbps Single‐Channel IQ Modulation Based PDM‐FSO Transmission System Using 64‐QAM Signals

ABSTRACTThe ever‐augmenting demand of data channel‐bandwidth by the end users has resulted in the exploration of new transmission techniques for wireless transmission networks. In this work, we have demonstrated the modeling of a single‐channel free space optics (FSO) transmission system by employing polarization‐division‐multiplexing (PDM) technique. Further, in‐phase‐quadrature modulation (IQM) has been used to increase the transmission efficiency of the system. To decrease the baud‐rate of the system, we have proposed the use of 64‐level quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals. The net transmission rate of the system is 120 Gbps with a baud‐rate of 10 Gbps. Furthermore, the overcome the signal degradation of the 120 Gbps signal propagating through atmospheric channel, we have reported the use of advanced digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms. The system's performance is investigated for adverse external climate weather conditions and the results reported show reliable 120 Gbps data transmission along range between 870 m and 16.25 km with good performance of BER and EVM 7.5%.

An Overview of Long-Distance Optical Fiber Communication

Long-distance optical fiber communication is a crucial technology enabling high-speed data transmission over vast distances. Utilizing light waves to transmit information, this technology offers significant advantages, including high bandwidth, low attenuation, and minimal interference compared to traditional copper-based communication systems. Optical fibers can transmit data over thousands of kilometers with the help of signal amplification through repeaters and advanced modulation techniques. Innovations such as Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (WDM) allow multiple data channels to travel simultaneously over a single fiber, significantly increasing the data capacity. This paper discusses the fundamental principles of optical fiber communication, key technologies such as lasers, optical amplifiers, and photodetectors, and recent advancements in improving efficiency, speed, and distance. The challenges associated with long-distance optical communication, including signal degradation, dispersion, and noise, are also explored, along with emerging solutions to address these issues.

Optimizing BHF/PVDF composites via compression molding for high-frequency applications and electromagnetic shielding

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) poses significant challenges to the reliable operation of communication systems, medical devices, and electronic equipment, often resulting in signal degradation, data loss, and equipment failure. To mitigate these issues, this study investigates the development of barium hexaferrite (BHF)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composites, synthesized via compression molding, to optimize their electrical and magnetic properties for high-frequency EMI shielding applications. Through comprehensive characterization, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and vector network analysis (VNA), we demonstrate that increasing the BHF content within the composites enhances their complex permittivity, impedance matching, and attenuation coefficients, making them highly effective for EMI shielding. Notably, the composite containing 20 wt% PVDF achieved a reflection loss (RL) of −42 dB at a thickness of 2 mm, indicating superior shielding effectiveness. These results underscore the potential of BHF/PVDF composites as a viable solution for advanced EMI suppression in high-frequency electronic and military applications, combining economic feasibility with robust performance.

Role of Signal Degradation in Directional Chemosensing.

Directional chemosensing is ubiquitous in cell biology, but some cells such as mating yeast paradoxically degrade the signal they aim to detect. While the data processing inequality suggests that such signal modification cannot increase the sensory information, we show using a reaction-diffusion model and an exactly solvable discrete-state reduction that it can. We identify a non-Markovian step in the information chain allowing the system to evade the data processing inequality, reflecting the nonlocal nature of diffusion. Our results apply to any sensory system in which degradation couples to diffusion. Experimental data suggest that mating yeast operate in the beneficial regime where degradation improves sensing.