Maximum Data rate of a Channel

• Nyquist theorem (for Perfect/Noiseless/Ideal channel)

C = 2 B log2V
C= channel capacity in bps
B = bandwidth
V = number of signal levels (always power of 2)

• Shannon’s theorem (for Noisy channel)

C = B log2(1 + SNR)
C= channel capacity in bps
B = bandwidth
SNR=signal-to-noise ratio
Note: If SNR is given in-terms of dB, then we need to use following conversion formula.
SNRdB=10log10SNR

3.1
1. Consider a noiseless channel with a bandwidth of 3000 Hz
transmitting a signal with two signal levels. Calculate maximum bit
rate.
Soln:
Noiseless Channel, hence apply Nyquist Theorem
Given:
B=3000Hz, V=2, C=?

C = 2 B log2V
= 2*3000*log22
= 6000*1
= 6000 bps
Hence, maximum bit rate of channel is 6000 bps. (6Kbps)
2. We need to send 265 kbps over a noiseless channel with a bandwidth of 20 kHz.
How many signal levels do we need?
Soln:
Number of signal levels to be calculated, hence apply Nyquist Theorem
Given:
B=20kHz, C=265 kbps, V=?

C = 2 B log2V
265000 = 2*20000*log2V
log2V = 6.625
V=26.625
V=98.7 signal levels

Since this result is not a power of 2, we need to either increase the number of
levels or reduce the bit rate. If we have 128 levels, the bit rate is 280 kbps. If we
have 64 levels, the bit rate is 240 kbps.
3. Consider an extremely noisy channel in which the value of the signal-
to-noise ratio is almost zero. In other words, the noise is so strong that
the signal is faint. Calculate the channel capacity.

Channel is noisy, hence apply Shannon’s Theorem

Given:
SNR=0, B= ? C = ?
C = B log2(1 + SNR)
C= Blog2(1)
C= 0 bps

This means that the capacity of this channel is zero regardless of the bandwidth. In
other words, we cannot receive any data through this channel because of high
noise.
4. A telephone line normally has a bandwidth of 3000bps. The signal-
to-noise ratio is usually 3162. For this channel, calculate the capacity.
Channel is noisy, hence apply Shannon’s Theorem
Given:
SNR=3162, B= 3000 C = ?
C = B log2(1 + SNR)
C= 3000*log2(1+3162)
C= 3000*11.62
C=34860 bps
5. Assume that SNRdB = 36 and the channel bandwidth is 2 MHz. The theoretical
channel capacity can be calculated as
Channel is noisy, hence apply Shannon’s Theorem
Given:
SNR=36dB, B= 2MHz C = ?
SNRdB to be converted to SNR using following conversion formula
SNRdB =10 log10SNR
36= 10log10SNR ➔ log10SNR=3.6 ➔ SNR=103.6

Hence, SNR is 3981

Now, by using Shannon’s theorem

C = B log2(1 + SNR)
C = 2*106 log2(1+3981)
C = 2*106 * 11.95
C = 23.9 *106 bps (or 23.9 Mbps)
6. We have a channel with a 1-MHz bandwidth. The SNR for this channel is 63. What are
the appropriate bit rate and signal level?
Given:
B=1 MHz, SNR=63 V=? C=?
In this problem, B and SNR is given and we have to compute number of signal levels V and max
channel capacity C. So we need to make use of both Nyquist’s and Shannon’s theorem.
Steps:
1. Use Shannon’s theorem to calculate C
2. Then use Nyquist’s theorem to calculate V

Step 1:
1: Using
Use Shannon’s Step 2: Use Nyquist’s Theorem to get V
Step Shannon’sTheorem to get C.
Theorem:
C = 2B log2V
CC == BB log
log2(1
(1 ++ SNR)
SNR)
6*106 = 2*1*106 log2V
C = 1*10266 log2(1+63)
C = 1*106 log2(1+63) log2V = 3
C= 1*10 *6
C=
C=61*10
6
Mbps*6 V=23
C=6 Mbps V=8
Hence, appropriate bit rate is 6 Mbps
Hence, number of signal levels are 8