Understanding Noise Figure
Download as PPT, PDF1 like1,145 views
Thermal noise is a random fluctuation in voltage caused by the random motion of charge carriers in any conducting medium above absolute zero. The RMS voltage of thermal noise is proportional to temperature and resistance, and larger resistances and higher temperatures generate more noise. Noise figure is a measure of how much a device like an amplifier degrades the signal to noise ratio, and is always greater than one. The noise floor of a receiver is its minimum detectable signal, calculated as the thermal noise plus the receiver's noise figure and bandwidth.
![• To characterize the receiver alone,To characterize the receiver alone, the Noise Figurethe Noise Figure
(NF)(NF) concept which characterized the degradation inconcept which characterized the degradation in
Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) by the receiver.Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) by the receiver.
• Noise Figure (NF) is a measure of how much a deviceNoise Figure (NF) is a measure of how much a device
(such an amplifier) degrades the Signal to Noise ratio(such an amplifier) degrades the Signal to Noise ratio
(SNR).(SNR).
• · Noise Factor (linear not dB) of a receiver is the ratio of· Noise Factor (linear not dB) of a receiver is the ratio of
the SNR at its input to the ratio of the SNR at its output.the SNR at its input to the ratio of the SNR at its output.
• NoiseFactor_F(linear) = SNR_input[linear] /NoiseFactor_F(linear) = SNR_input[linear] /
SNR_output[linear]SNR_output[linear]
• NoiseFactor_F[dB] = SNR_input[dB] - SNR_output[dB]NoiseFactor_F[dB] = SNR_input[dB] - SNR_output[dB]
• NoiseFigure_NF[dB] =NoiseFigure_NF[dB] =
SNR_input[dB]SNR_input[dB]--SNR_output[dBSNR_output[dB]]
Noise FigureNoise Figure](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/understandingnoisefigure-151014110902-lva1-app6891/85/Understanding-Noise-Figure-4-320.jpg)
Understanding Noise Figure
- 1. Noise Figure & Noise Floor (Understanding Noise Figure) as Receiver Noise By: Mostafa Ali
- 2. • One of the most frequently discussed forms of noise is known as ThermalOne of the most frequently discussed forms of noise is known as Thermal Noise.Thermal noise is a random fluctuation in voltage caused by theNoise.Thermal noise is a random fluctuation in voltage caused by the random motion of charge carriers in any conducting medium at arandom motion of charge carriers in any conducting medium at a temperature above absolute zero (K=273 + Celsius).This cannot exist attemperature above absolute zero (K=273 + Celsius).This cannot exist at absolute zero because charge carriers cannot move at absolute zero. Asabsolute zero because charge carriers cannot move at absolute zero. As the name implies, the amount of the thermal noise is to imagine a simplethe name implies, the amount of the thermal noise is to imagine a simple resistor at a temperature above absolute zero. If we'll use a very sensitiveresistor at a temperature above absolute zero. If we'll use a very sensitive oscilloscope across the resistor, we'll see a very small AC noise beingoscilloscope across the resistor, we'll see a very small AC noise being generated by the resistor.generated by the resistor. • The RMS voltage is proportional to the temperature of the resistor and howThe RMS voltage is proportional to the temperature of the resistor and how resistive it is.resistive it is. • · Larger resistances and higher temperatures generate more noise.· Larger resistances and higher temperatures generate more noise. • The formula to find the RMS thermal noise voltage of a resistor is:The formula to find the RMS thermal noise voltage of a resistor is: • VnVn = (= (4kTRB)^4kTRB)^1/21/2 • k = Boltzman constant (1.38*10^-23 Joules/Kelvin)k = Boltzman constant (1.38*10^-23 Joules/Kelvin) • T = Temperature in degrees Kelvin (K= +273 Celsius)T = Temperature in degrees Kelvin (K= +273 Celsius) • R = Resistance in ohmsR = Resistance in ohms • B = Bandwidth in Hz in which the noise is observed Thermal Noise Of The ReceiverThermal Noise Of The Receiver
- 3. • In RF applications, we usually deal with circuitsIn RF applications, we usually deal with circuits having matched input and output impedances, andhaving matched input and output impedances, and are therefore more concerned with the powerare therefore more concerned with the power available from a device than the voltage.available from a device than the voltage. • In this case, it is common to express the noise of aIn this case, it is common to express the noise of a device in terms of the available noise power.device in terms of the available noise power. • P = (Voc/2)P = (Voc/2)^2^2 /R = kTB = Noise at input of receiver/R = kTB = Noise at input of receiver • Using this formula it is possible to determine that theUsing this formula it is possible to determine that the minimum equivalent input noise for a receiver atminimum equivalent input noise for a receiver at room temperature (290K) is -174 dBm / Hz.room temperature (290K) is -174 dBm / Hz. Thermal Noise (cont’d)Thermal Noise (cont’d)
- 4. • To characterize the receiver alone,To characterize the receiver alone, the Noise Figurethe Noise Figure (NF)(NF) concept which characterized the degradation inconcept which characterized the degradation in Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) by the receiver.Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) by the receiver. • Noise Figure (NF) is a measure of how much a deviceNoise Figure (NF) is a measure of how much a device (such an amplifier) degrades the Signal to Noise ratio(such an amplifier) degrades the Signal to Noise ratio (SNR).(SNR). • · Noise Factor (linear not dB) of a receiver is the ratio of· Noise Factor (linear not dB) of a receiver is the ratio of the SNR at its input to the ratio of the SNR at its output.the SNR at its input to the ratio of the SNR at its output. • NoiseFactor_F(linear) = SNR_input[linear] /NoiseFactor_F(linear) = SNR_input[linear] / SNR_output[linear]SNR_output[linear] • NoiseFactor_F[dB] = SNR_input[dB] - SNR_output[dB]NoiseFactor_F[dB] = SNR_input[dB] - SNR_output[dB] • NoiseFigure_NF[dB] =NoiseFigure_NF[dB] = SNR_input[dB]SNR_input[dB]--SNR_output[dBSNR_output[dB]] Noise FigureNoise Figure
- 5. Note thatNote that SNR at the output will always be smaller thanSNR at the output will always be smaller than the SNR at the input, due tothe SNR at the input, due to the fact that circuits alwaysthe fact that circuits always add to the noise in a system.add to the noise in a system. this means that the noise factor is always greater than one.this means that the noise factor is always greater than one.
- 6. • It’s the sensitivity of the input of the receiver andIt’s the sensitivity of the input of the receiver and this Input sensitivity is evaluated by referring thethis Input sensitivity is evaluated by referring the output noise Noutput noise NOO, to the receiver’s input gain, to the receiver’s input gain • So that, Noise Floor =So that, Noise Floor = Noise FloorNoise Floor
- 7. • NNOiOi(dBm) = KT(dBm) = KTOO(dBm/MHz)+ NF(dB)(dBm/MHz)+ NF(dB) + 10 Log B(MHz)+ 10 Log B(MHz) • Noise floor = -174 + NFNoise floor = -174 + NF + 10 log Bandwidth+ 10 log Bandwidth The concept of noise floor is valuable in many radioThe concept of noise floor is valuable in many radio communications systems and enables the radiocommunications systems and enables the radio receiver design and performance to be matched toreceiver design and performance to be matched to the requirements of the overall system.the requirements of the overall system. Noise Floor(cont’d)Noise Floor(cont’d)
- 8. • (1) Mohr on Receiver Noise Characterization,(1) Mohr on Receiver Noise Characterization, Insights & SurprisesInsights & Surprises Richard J. MohrRichard J. Mohr of theof the IEEE long islandIEEE long island • (2) http://www.radi(2) http://www.radio-electronics.como-electronics.com • (3)http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Communicatio(3)http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Communicatio n_Systems/Noise_Figuren_Systems/Noise_Figure ReferencesReferences