Detecting weak sinusoidal signals embedded in a non-stationary random broadband noise—A simulation study

In the present study, a simple numerical function is proposed for use together with the time–frequency analysis in the detection of very weak sinusoidal signals embedded in a non-stationary random broadband background noise. Its performance is studied through the use of two numerical examples. It is found that the present method enables good recovery of the sinusoidal signals and the instants of their initiations even when the signal-to-noise ratio is down to −17 dB.