Narrowband vs Wideband

In communications, band is referred to as the range of frequencies (bandwidth) used in the

channel. Depending on the size of the band (in terms of kHz, MHz or GHz) and some other
properties of the communication channel, they can be categorized as narrowband and wideband
etc.
Narrowband
In radio, narrowband communication happens in a frequency range where the frequency
response of the channel is flat (where gain is constant for all the frequencies in the range).
Therefore, the band should be smaller than the coherence bandwidth (maximum range of
frequencies where channel response is flat), and relatively smaller than broadband range (or
wideband) where channel response is not necessarily flat.
When the data communication (or internet connections) is concerned, narrowband refers to the
amount of data being transferred within a second (or bits per second). Dial-up internet
connection (where data rate is less than 56 kbps) belongs to the narrowband internet category. In
dial up connections, computers are connected to internet through a modem and telephone cables.
Wideband
In radio, wideband communication happens in a wider frequency range compared to narrowband.
Wideband range exceeds the coherence bandwidth, and therefore, doesnt exhibit a flat
frequency response. Wideband is a relative term, and the size of the band may be in kHz, MHz
or GHz depending on the application.
For internet connections, the term wideband describes the data rate of the connection.
Wideband offers a higher data rate than broadband technologies. Wideband internet can facilitate
a bandwidth higher than 50Mbps. They provides a good quality of video streaming and better
interactivity.
What is the difference between Narrowband and Wideband?
1. Narrowband communications use a smaller frequency range (bandwidth) compared to
wideband communications.
2. In internet access, wideband technologies provide much higher data rate (more than
50Mbps), whereas narrowband connections provide a slower data rate such as 56 kbps.
3. In radio communications, bandwidth is smaller than the coherence bandwidth of the
channel for narrowband, and wider for wideband.

RECEIVER SENSITIVITY
Sensitivity in a receiver is normally taken as the minimum input signal (Smin) required to
produce a specified output signal having a specified signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and is defined as
the minimum signal-to-noise ratio times the mean noise power, see equation [1]. For a signal
impinging on the antenna (system level) sensitivity is known as minimum operational sensitivity
(MOS), see equation [2]. Since MOS includes antenna gain, it may be expressed in dBLi (dB
referenced to a linear isotropic antenna). When specifying the sensitivity of receivers intended to
intercept and process pulse signals, the minimum pulse width at which the specified sensitivity
applies must also be stated. See the discussion of post detection bandwidth (BV) in Section 5-2
for significance of minimum pulse width in the receiver design.
Smin = (S/N)minkToB(NF) receiver sensitivity ("black box" performance parameter) [1]
or MOS = (S/N)minkToB(NF)/G system sensitivity i.e. the receiver is connected to an antenna
[2]
(transmission line loss included with antenna gain)
where: S/Nmin = Minimum signal-to-noise ratio needed to process (vice just detect) a signal
NF = Noise figure/factor
k = Boltzmann's Constant = 1.38 x 10-23 Joule/EK
To = Absolute temperature of the receiver input (EKelvin) = 290EK
B = Receiver Bandwidth (Hz)
G = Antenna/system gain
We have a lower MOS if temperature, bandwidth, NF, or S/Nmin decreases, or if antenna gain
increases. For radar, missile, and EW receivers, sensitivity is usually stated in dBm. For
communications and commercial broadcasting receivers, sensitivity is usually stated in micro-
volts or dBv. See Section 4-1.
There is no standard definition of sensitivity level. The term minimum operational sensitivity
(MOS) can be used in place of Smin at the system level where aircraft installation characteristics
are included. The "black box" term minimum detectable signal (MDS) is often used for Smin but
can cause confusion because a receiver may be able to detect a signal, but not properly process it.
MDS can also be confused with minimum discernable signal, which is frequently used when a
human operator is used to interpret the reception results. A human interpretation is also required
with minimum visible signal (MVS) and tangential sensitivity (discussed later). To avoid
confusion, the terms Smin for "black box" minimum sensitivity and MOS for system minimum
sensitivity are used in this section. All receivers are designed for a certain sensitivity level based
on requirements. One would not design a receiver with more sensitivity than required because it
limits the receiver bandwidth and will require the receiver to process signals it is not interested
in. In general, while processing signals, the higher the power level at which the sensitivity is set,
the fewer the number of false alarms which will be processed. Simultaneously, the probability of
detection of a "good" (low-noise) signal will be decreased.
Sensitivity can be defined in two opposite ways, so discussions can frequently be confusing. It
can be the ratio of response to input or input to response. In using the first method (most
common in receiver discussions and used herein), it will be a negative number (in dBm), with the
more negative being "better" sensitivity, e.g. -60 dBm is "better" than -50 dBm sensitivity. If the
second method is used, the result will be a positive number, with higher being "better." Therefore
the terms low sensitivity or high sensitivity can be very confusing. The terms Smin and MOS
avoid confusion.




Earth Station Antenna
An earth station, ground station, or earth terminal is a terrestrial terminal station designed for
extra planetary telecommunication with spacecraft, and/or reception of radio waves from an
astronomical radio source. Earth stations are located either on the surface of the Earth, or within
Earth's atmosphere.[1] Earth stations communicate with spacecraft by transmitting and receiving
radio waves in the super high frequency or extremely high frequency bands (e.g., microwaves).
When an earth station successfully transmits radio waves to a spacecraft (or vice versa), it
establishes a telecommunications link.
Earth stations may occupy either a fixed or itinerant position.
Specialized satellite earth stations are used to telecommunicate with satelliteschiefly
communications satellites. Other earth stations communicate with manned space stations or
unmanned space probes. An earth station that primarily receives telemetry data, or that follows a
satellite not in geostationary orbit, is called a tracking station.
When a satellite is within an earth station's line of sight, the earth station is said to have a view of
the satellite. It is possible for a satellite to communicate with more than one earth station at a
time. A pair of earth stations are said to have a satellite in mutual view when the stations share
simultaneous, unobstructed, line-of-sight contact with the satellite.