Signal-to-noise ratio

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4-1-755

Signal-to-noise ratio (at a specified point in a receiver)

For given conditions of adjustment and signal input, the ratio of the magnitude of some specified feature of the wanted response to the magnitude of the appropriate feature of the co-existent noise.


Note: 1 The co-existent noise may differ from the noise when the receiver input is reduced to zero.


Note: 2 In practice it is usually the ratio of the signal plus noise to noise which is measured but this ratio is usually called the signal-to-noise ratio when the signal magnitude is several times greater than that of the noise.


Note: 3 The ratio is often expressed in decibels.

Reference: B.S. (modified)




Please note that this is the term as it stands in the original IALA Dictionary edition (1970-1989)