Comment on “Stochastic analysis of recurrence plots with applications to the detection of deterministic signals” by Rohde et al. [Physica D 237 (2008) 619–629]

In the recent article “Stochastic analysis of recurrence plots with applications to the detection of deterministic signals” (Physica D 237 (2008) 619–629), Rohde et al. stated that the performance of RQA in order to detect deterministic signals would be below traditional and well-known detectors. However, we have concerns about such a general statement. Based on our own studies we cannot confirm their conclusions. Our findings suggest that the measures of complexity provided by RQA are useful detectors outperforming well-known traditional detectors, in particular for the detection of signals of complex systems, with phase differences or signals modified due to the measurement process.Nevertheless, we also clearly assert that an uncritical application of RQA may lead to wrong conclusions.