Radio receiver signal to noise ratio (SNR)

- an overview of the signal to noise (S/N) ratio or SNR used in determining and specifying the sensitivity of radio receivers used alone of within radio communications systems.

The noise performance and hence the signal to noise ratio is a key parameter for any radio receiver. It is a measure of its sensitivity performance and this is of prime importance in many applications from simple broadcast receivers to those used in more professional applications such as fixed or mobile radio communications, two way radio communications systems, satellite radio and more.

There are a number of ways in which the noise performance, and hence the sensitivity of a radio receiver can be measured. The most obvious method is to compare the signal and noise levels for a known signal level, i.e. the signal to noise (S/N) ratio or SNR. Obviously the greater the difference between the signal and the unwanted noise, i.e. the greater the S/N ratio, the better the radio receiver sensitivity performance.

As with any sensitivity measurement, the performance of the overall radio receiver is determined by the performance of the front end RF amplifier stage. Any noise introduced by the first RF amplifier will be added to the signal and amplified by subsequent amplifiers in the receiver. As the noise introduced by the first RF amplifier will be amplified the most, this RF amplifier becomes the most critical in terms of radio receiver sensitivity performance. Thus the first amplifier of any radio receiver should be a low noise amplifier.

Methods of measuring radio receiver sensitivity

Although there are many ways of measuring the sensitivity performance of a radio receiver, the S/N ratio or SNR is one of the most straightforward and it is used in a variety of applications. However it has a number of limitations, and although it is widely used, other methods including noise figure are often used as well. Nevertheless the S/N ratio or SNR is an important specification, and it will be seen in many radio receiver specification sheets.

Signal to noise ratio for a radio receiver

The difference is normally shown as a ratio between the signal and the noise (S/N) and it is normally expressed in decibels. As the signal input level obviously has an effect on this ratio, the input signal level must be given. This is usually expressed in microvolts. Typically a certain input level required to give a 10 dB signal to noise ratio is specified.

Effect of radio receiver bandwidth

A number of other factors apart from the basic performance of the set can affect the SNR specification. The first is the actual bandwidth of the receiver. As the noise spreads out over all frequencies it is found that the wider the bandwidth of the receiver, the greater the level of the noise. Accordingly the receiver bandwidth needs to be stated.

Additionally it is found that when using AM the level of modulation has an effect. The greater the level of modulation, the higher the audio output from the receiver. When measuring the noise performance the audio output from the receiver is measured and accordingly the modulation level of the AM has an effect. Usually a modulation level of 30% is chosen for this measurement.

Typical figures

This method of measuring the performance is most commonly used for HF communications receivers. Typically one might expect to see a figure in the region of 0.5 microvolts for a 10 dB S/N in a 3 kHz bandwidth for SSB or Morse. For AM a figure of 1.5 microvolts for a 10 dB S/N in a 6 kHz bandwidth at 30% modulation for AM might be seen.

Points to note when measuring SNR

SNR is a very convenient method of quantifying the sensitivity of a receiver, but there are some points to note when measuring and interpreting the figures. To investigate these it is necessary to look at the way the measurements of SNR are made. A calibrated RF signal generator is used as a signal source for the receiver. It must have an accurate method of setting the output level down to very low signal levels. Then at the output of the receiver a true RMS AC voltmeter is used to measure the output level.

• S/N and (S+N)/N   With the generator signal switched off a 50 Ohm match is given to the receiver and the audio meter will detect the noise generated by the receiver itself. This level is noted and the signal turned on. Its level is adjusted until the audio level meter reads a level which is 10 dB higher than just the noise on its own. The level of the generator is that required to give the 10 dB signal to noise ratio.
  
  The last statement was not strictly true. Whilst the first reading of the noise is quite accurate, the second reading of the signal also includes some noise as well. In view of this many manufacturers will specify a slightly different ratio: namely signal plus noise to noise (S+N/N). In practice the difference is not particularly large, but the S+N/N ratio is more correct.



• PD and EMF   Occasionally the signal generator level in the specification will mention that it is either PD or EMF. This is actually very important because there is a factor of 2:1 between the two levels. For example 1 microvolt EMF. and 0.5 microvolt PD are the same. The EMF (electro-motive force) is the open circuit voltage, whereas the PD (potential difference) is measured when the generator is loaded. As a result of the way in which the generator level circuitry works it assumes that a correct (50 Ohm) load has been applied. If the load is not this value then there will be an error. Despite this most equipment will assume values in PD unless otherwise stated.

Summary

While there are many parameters that are used for specifying the sensitivity performance of radio receivers, the signal to noise ratio is one of the most basic and easy to comprehend. It is therefore widely used for many radio receivers used in applications ranging from broadcast reception to fixed or mobile radio communications.