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Transfer of contrast sensitivity in linear visual networks

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2009

Andrew B. Watson
Andrew B. Watson
Affiliation:
Vision Group, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field
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Abstract

Contrast sensitivity is a useful measure of the ability of an observer to distinguish contrast signals from noise. Although usually applied to human observers, contrast sensitivity can also be defined operationally for individual visual neurons. In a model linear neuron consisting of a filter and noise source, this operational measure is a function of filter gain, noise power spectrum, signal duration, and a performance criterion. This definition allows one to relate the sensitivities of linear neurons at different levels in the visual pathway. Mathematical formulae describing these relationships are derived, and the general model is applied to the specific problem of relating the sensitivities of parvocellular LGN neurons and cortical simple cells in the primate.

Keywords

Contrast sensitivityReceptive fieldsNoiseNeural networksVisual cortexLateral geniculate nucleus
Type
Research Articles
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , January 1992 , pp. 65 - 76
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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