We demonstrate the effect of coherence resonance in a heterogeneous array of coupled Fitz Hugh–Nagumo neurons. It is shown that coupling of such elements leads to a significantly stronger coherence compared to that of a single element. We report nontrivial effects of parameter heterogeneity and spatial independence of noise on array-enhanced coherence resonance; especially, we find that (i) the coherence increases as spatial correlation of the noise decreases, and (ii) inhomogeneity in the parameters of the array enhances the coherence. Our results have the implication that generic heterogeneity and background noise can play a constructive role to enhance the time precision of firing in neural systems.

• Received 14 February 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.87.098101