What is the signal-to-noise ratio?

In analog and digital communications, a signal-to-noise ratio, often ~ritten S/N or SNR. is a
measure of the strength of the desired signal relative to background noise (undesired signal).
SIN can be determined by using a fixed formula that compares the two levels and returns the
ratio, which shows whether the noise level is impacting the desired signal.

The ratio is typically expressed as a single numeric value in decibels (dB). The ratio can be
zero, a positive number or a negative number. A signal-to-noise ratio over O dB indicates that
the signa_
l level is greater than the noise level. The higher the ratio, the better the signal
quality.
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Modulation is the process of changing the parameters of the carrier signal. in accordance with the
instantaneous values of the modulating signal.

Need for Modulation

The baseband signals are incompatible for direct transmission. For such a signal to travel longer
distances. its strength has to be increased by modulating with a high frequency carrier wave. which
doesn't affect the parameters of the modulating signal.

Advantages of Modulation .
The antenna used for transmission, had to be very large, if modulation was not introduced. The .
range of communication gets limited as the wave cannot travel to a distance without getting
distorted.

Following are some of the advantages for implementing modulation in the communication systems.

a Antenna size gets redu~ d .

a No signal mixing occurs.
• I
• Communication range increases.
• Multiplexing of signals occur.
• Adjustments in the bandwidth is allowed.
• Reception quality improves.
Signals in· the Modul~tion Process
Following are the three types of signals in the modulation process.

Message or Modulating Signal

The signal which contains a message to b~ transmitted, is called as a message signal It is a
baseband signal, which has to unde~go the process of modulation, to get transmitted. Hence, it is
also called as the modulating signal.

Carrier Signal
The high frequency signal which has a certain . phase, frequency, and amplitude but contains no
information. is called a carrier signal It is an empty signaL It is just used to carry the signal to the
receiver after modulation.

Modulated .Signal
The resultant signal after the process of modulation, is called as the modulated signal This signal
is a combination of the modulating signal' and the carrier signal.
Size of the Antennae
When the transmission occurs over free space, the antennae radiate the signal, and
the receiver receives it. To operate efficiently, antennae-need to be in the order of the
magnitude of the wavelength of the transmitted signal.

L -- A' -- ~{) -- (J•10s)

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Speech frequencies range fro~ 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Suppose this is a frequency of 20 kHz,

and it is radiated out to a receiver through a channel of free space.

Length of Antennae = ; ;.\0; 3 = 15000m = 15k"ffi

It is impossible to build an antenna this big. Instead, say we give modulation a chance
and use a 1000 kHz carrier wave to carry the signal. The length of the antennae now
would be;
0
Length of Antennae = 1
:;;. !101
1
= 300ni
This is much more doable, and this example clearly shows how hugely the modulation
process enables communication systems.
Types of Modulation
There are many types of modulations. Depending u~on the modulation t echniques used, they are
classified as shown in the following figure.

Types of Modulations

Continuous-wave Modulation Pulse Modulation

Amplitude Angle Dlgltal Analog

Modl}latlon Modulatlon Modulation Modulation

Frequency Phase Pulse code

odulatlon Modulatl'o Modulatlon

- - - IPAM!
Delta
Modulatlo

.
The types of modulations arc broadly classified Into continuous-wave modulation and pulse
modulation.
A mong t he types of modulation t echniques, t he main classification is Continuous- wave
Modul ation and Pulse Modulation. T he continuous wave modulation techniques are
further divided int o Amplitude Modulation and Angle Modulation.
 Amplitude

Base band signal

Carrier Signal
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