Generalized Analysis of Phase-Sensitive Detection-Circuit Operating Characteristics at the Signal Detection in the Presence of Noise

A new generalized analysis is presented of operating characteristics of phase-sensitive detector circuits, assuming that the input signal and the reference wave are in the presence of independent, stationary, and additive Gaussian noise. The generalized criteria are determined for the detector optimum operating conditions and for minimization of the detector characteristic essential nonlinearities by means of computer-aided analysis, using high-density discrete value calculations. The results of the analysis are given in normalized form and can be directly applied to evaluate in detail the detector-circuit performance and characteristic essential nonlinearities over a wide dynamic range of operating conditions. Furthermore, particular emphasis is laid on the determination of optimum detector-circuit operating conditions in contemporary instrumentation systems.