NOISE

is an unwanted signal which disturbs the original

signal of the communications system
(Any undesirable electrical energy)
The two most significant limitations on the
performance of a communications system are:

bandwidth and noise

 Noise
is an unwanted signal which disturbs the original signal of the
communications system (Any undesirable electrical energy)

Uncorrelated Noise Correlated Noise

Present regardless of whether there is a signal Related to the signal and cannot be present in a
present or not circuit unless there is an input signal
(no signal, no noise)

External Noise Harmonic

Generated outside the device or circuit Distortion

Atmospheric Noise Intermodulation

Distortion

Solar Noise

Cosmic Noise

Man-made
(Industrial) Noise

Internal Noise
Electrical interference generated within a device or circuit

Thermal Noise

Shot Noise

Transit-time Noise
 Thermal noise
Thermal noise is an uncorrelated internal noise and it is
associated with the rapid random movement of free electrons
within a conductor due to the thermal agitation (action)
White noise is equally distributed throughout the frequency spectrum
 N = KTB

Where,

N : noise power (w)

K : Boltzmann constant [1.38×10-23] (joules / Kelvin)

T : absolute temperature ( T = oC + 273o) (K)

B : Bandwidth (Hz)
 Example (1.7)
Page 30

o
For an electronic device operating at temperature of 17 C with a
bandwidth of 10 kHz, determine thermal noise power in watts and dBm

Solution

N = KTB
o o o o o
T = C + 273 = 17 + 273 = 290 K
-23 3 -17
N = (1.38×10 )(290)(10×10 ) = 4.002×10 w

𝑁(watt)
𝑁(dBm) = 10 log
0.001

4.002×10−17
𝑁(dBm) = 10 log = -133.977 dBm
0.001
 Signal-to-Noise Power Ratio
S
S/N SNR
N
It is the ratio of the signal power level to the noise power level

𝑆 𝑃𝑠 Ps : signal power (w)

= Pn : noise power (w)
𝑁 𝑃𝑛

The signal- to- noise power ratio is often expressed as a logarithmic

function with the decibel unit

𝑆 𝑃𝑠
dB = 10 log
𝑁 𝑃𝑛
 Example (1.8)
Page 31

For an amplifier with an output signal power of 10 w and an output noise

power of 0.01 w, determine signal to noise power ratio (S/N ) and signal
to noise power ratio expressed in decibel (S/N ) in dB

Solution

𝑆 𝑃𝑠 10
= = = 1000
𝑁 𝑃𝑛 0.01
𝑆 𝑃𝑠
dB = 10 log
𝑁 𝑃𝑛

10
= 10 log = 10 log 1000 = 30 dB
0.01
 EXERCISES [ 2 ]
Questions
PAGE 33

4.
List the two most significant limitations on the performance of electronic
communications system

5.
Describe electrical noise
 EXERCISES [ 2 ]
Questions
PAGE 33

6.
What are the two general categories of electrical noise?

7.
The phrase “no signal, no noise” describes which type of electrical
interference?

8.
List which types of noise are considered external noise
 EXERCISES [ 2 ]
Questions
PAGE 33
9.
What is the main type of internal noise?

10.
Write the relationship between thermal noise power, bandwidth and
temperature
 EXERCISES [ 2 ]
Questions
PAGE 33

11.
Describe white noise

12.
List the two types of correlated noise

13.
Describe signal-to-noise power ratio
 EXERCISES [ 2 ]
Problems
PAGE 34

3.
Convert the following thermal noise powers to dBm:
(a) 0.001 μ w (b) 1 p w (c) 2 × 10-15 w (d) 1.4 × 10-16 w

(b) N = 1 p w
 EXERCISES [ 2 ]
Problems
PAGE 34
5.
Calculate the thermal noise power in both watts and dBm for the
following amplifier bandwidths and temperatures:

(b) B = 100 kHz, T = 100o C

 EXERCISES [ 2 ]
Problems
PAGE 34
7.
Determine the signal to noise power ratios in dB for the following signal
and noise powers:

(e) Ps = 0.4 W Pn = 0.16 W