Definition
The noise factor F of a system is defined as:
where SNRin and SNRout are the input and output signal-to-noise ratios, respectively. The SNR quantities are power ratios. The noise figure NF is defined as:
where SNRin, dB and SNRout, dB are in decibels (dB). The noise figure is the noise factor, given in dB:
These formulae are only valid when the input termination is at standard noise temperature T0, although in practice small differences in temperature do not significantly affect the values.
The noise factor of a device is related to its noise temperature Te:
Attenuators have a noise factor F equal to their attenuation ratio L when their physical temperature equals T0. More generally, for an attenuator at a physical temperature T, the noise temperature is, giving a noise factor of:
If several devices are cascaded, the total noise factor can be found with Friis' Formula:
where Fn is the noise factor for the n-th device and Gn is the power gain (linear, not in dB) of the n-th device. In a well designed receive chain, only the noise factor of the first amplifier should be significant.
Read more about this topic: Noise Figure
Famous quotes containing the word definition:
“The physicians say, they are not materialists; but they are:MSpirit is matter reduced to an extreme thinness: O so thin!—But the definition of spiritual should be, that which is its own evidence. What notions do they attach to love! what to religion! One would not willingly pronounce these words in their hearing, and give them the occasion to profane them.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Was man made stupid to see his own stupidity?
Is God by definition indifferent, beyond us all?
Is the eternal truth man’s fighting soul
Wherein the Beast ravens in its own avidity?”
—Richard Eberhart (b. 1904)
“No man, not even a doctor, ever gives any other definition of what a nurse should be than this—”devoted and obedient.” This definition would do just as well for a porter. It might even do for a horse. It would not do for a policeman.”
—Florence Nightingale (1820–1910)