Noise in Communication

System
Prepared by
Dr M.Murugappan

Topics Covered in this Chapter

Definition of noise: Elements of noise

Compare the source of noise( thermal noise, shot noise,

burst noise)
Discuss and analyze the decibel, noise properties of networks
and noise analysis

Noise
Any unwanted introduction of energy tending to interfere

with the proper reception and reproduction of transmitted

signal.
Practically, we cannot avoid the existence of unwanted signal
together with the modulated signal transmitted by the
transmitter.
This unwanted signal is called noise.
Noise is a random signal that exists in a communication
system.
Random signal cannot be represented with a simple
equation.
The existence of noise will degrade the level of quality of
the received signal at the receiver.

Types of noise
an undesired coupling
(energy transfer) from
one circuit or medium to another
Noise
Internal Noise

Due to random movement of

electrons in electronic circuit
Thermal noise/Johnson noise
Shot noise

External Noise

Man-made noise and

natural resources
Lightning
Solar noise
Ignition
Crosstalk

any phenomenon by which a signal transmitted on one frequency

creates an undesired effect on another frequency.

External Noise (1/2)

1. Atmospheric Noise:
Static noise due the effect of thundering, and lightning
Less frequent and affects effectively
Less severe at frequencies above 30 MHz

Field strength of this noise is inversely related to frequencies

2. Solar Noise:
Radiation of sun introduces noises to the electromagnetic waves

3. Cosmic Noise:
Distant stars around the sun also radiates the high temperature

RF noise and will attenuate the original signal of reception

Effects of this noise to the communication signal is very less due
to the presence of ionosphere region.

External Noise (1/2)

4. Industrial Noise:
Range of frequencies: 1 - 600 MHz
Create the internal or external to the receiver.
Mainly due to automobile ignition, electrical motors and

switching equipments, and leakage from high voltage lines.

Nature of this noise is so variable and its difficult to analyze it
on any basis of statistics.

Internal Noise:
Noise created due to any passive or active devices in the receiver.

Random noise: Distributed over the entire spectrum

Random noise is proportional to the bandwidth over which its

measured
1. Thermal Noise
2. Shot Noise
3. Miscellaneous Noise:
Flicker or Modulation noise: No effect above 500 Hz
Noise in mixers: Mixers are much nosier than amplifier

Noise Effect
Degrade system performance for both analog and

digital systems.
The receiver cannot understand the sender.
The receiver cannot function as it should be.
Reduce the efficiency of communication system.

Thermal Noise
JohnsonNyquist noise (thermal noise, Johnson noise, or Nyquist

noise) is the Electronic noise - generated by the thermal agitation of

the charge carriers (the electrons) inside an electrical conductor in
equilibrium, which happens regardless of any applied voltage.

Movement of the electrons will forms kinetic energy in the

conductor related to the temperature of the conductor.

When the temperature increases, the movement of free electrons
will increase and the current flows through the conductor.
Current flows due to the free electrons will create noise voltage,
n(t).
Noise voltage, n(t) is influenced by the temperature and
therefore it is called thermal noise.
Also known as Johnson noise or white noise.

This type of noise was first measured by John B. Johnson at Bell Labs in 1928. He described his
findings to Harry Nyquist, also at Bell Labs, who was able to explain the results.

In 1928, J. B. Johnson have proven that noise power generated is

proportional to the temperature and the BW.

Pn TB
Pn kTB

Watt

where

Pn
k
T
B

=
=
=
=

noise power (Watt)

Boltzmanns constant (1.38 x 10-23 J/K)
Temperature (K)
BW spectrum system (Hz)

Noise power can be modeled using voltage equivalent circuit (Thevenin

equivalent circuit) or current equivalent circuit (Norton equivalent circuit)

It can be modeled by a voltage source representing the noise of the non-ideal

resistor in series with an ideal noise free resistor.

Rn, Noise
source

Vn, Noise
voltage source
=

(a) Noise source circuit

Rn, noise
free

(b) Thevenin equivalent circuit

Noise source will be connected to a system with the input resistance RL.

Therefore, total noise power is Pn.

With the concept of maximum power transfer ie when Rn = RL , all the

power will be transferred to the load.

Also called as impedance matching.

revise on circuit theory

Vn, Noise
voltage source
Rn, Noise
free

VL

RL, system input

resistance

(c) Thevenin equivalent circuit with the load

Given

Rn RL R

Note: Vn = Vrms

voltage divider rule

Voltage across RL :

RL
VL
Vn
Rn RL
Vn

=>
2

=>
and

Vn
VL2 2 Vn2
PL

R
R
4R

Pn PL kTB

Vn2
kTB
4R
Vn2 4kTBR
Vn 4kTBR

Example 1
One operational amplifier with a frequency range of (18-20) MHz has
input resistance 10 k. Calculate noise voltage at the input if the
amplifier operate at ambient temperature of 27 0C.

BW = fh fl = (20-18) MHz
= 2 MHz

Vn2 = 4KTBR

= 4 x 1.38 x 10-23 x (273+ 27) x 2 x 106 x 104

Vn = 18 volt

How to determine noise level in

communication system?
Noise effect can be determined by measuring:

- Signal to Noise Ratio, SNR for analog system

- Relative measure of signal power to noise power
- probability of error or bit error rate, BER for digital
system

To determine the quality of received signal at the receiver

or an antenna, SNRi is used.

SNR o is always less than SNRi , due to the facts that the

existence of noise in the receiver itself.

Another parameters that can be used is Noise Figure, NF

and Noise Temperature, NTe .

Noise Calculation
SNR is a ratio of signal power, S to noise power, N.

S
SNR 10 log dB
N
Noise Ratio, NR

Si N i
NR
dB
So N o

Noise Figure, NF

NF 10 log NR
Si N i
10 log
dB
So N o

Noise calculation in Amplifier

To simplify the analysis, two types of noise model are used.

- Amplifier with noise

input noise, Ni
artificial noise source, Nai

- Amplifier without noise

Ni

G
Na

Ni
Nai

No

(a) Amplifier with noise

N ai

No

(b) Amplifier without noise

N o G N i N ai

N o GNi N a
where

Gain

Na
G

and

Pn N i kTi B

Analysis Amplifier with Noise

Si
Ni

G
Na

(1)

So
No

N o GNi N a

Model Amplifier with noise

Noise Figure, F
(2)

Si
SNRi
Ni

GSi
SNRo
G N i N ai

N i N ai
Ni

N ai
Ni
N ai
F 1
Ni
1

S o GSi

SNRo SNRi

Na

G N i

G N i N ai

(3) We have:

N i kTi B
=>

and

N ai kTe B

kTe B
F 1
kTi B

Noise Figure:

Te
F 1
Ti

Noise Temperature:

Te F 1Ti

Analysis Amplifier Without Noise

Si

Ni+Nai

So
No

(1)

N o G N i N ai

Model Amplifier without noise

(2)

Si
SNRi
Ni

GSi
SNRo
G N i N ai

N i N ai
Ni

N ai
Ni
N
F 1 ai
Ni
1

S o GSi

SNRo SNRi
(3) We have:

N i kTi B
=>

and

N ai kTe B

kTe B
F 1
kTi B

Noise Figure:

Te
F 1
Ti

Noise Temperature:

Te F 1Ti

Example 2

Noise generated in amplifier of 5 MHz bandwidth is represented by

amplifier input noise power of 0.082 pW. Calculate noise factor and
noise figure if the amplifier was fed with the
(a) source input signal match the temperature of 300 K

(b) source input signal match the temperature of 100 K

Ni

No

(a) Noise power from the source input = KTiB

=

1.38 x 10-23 x 300 x 5 x 106

Ni
0.021 pW

Ne = 0.082PW

Ni Ne 0.021 0.082 0.103

Noise Figure

4.9
Ni
0.021
0.021
Noise Factor = 10log10 4.9 = 6.9 dB

(b) Noise power from the source input = KTiB

Ni

No

= 1.38 x 10-23 x 100 x 5 x 106

= 0.007 pW

Ne = 0.082PW

Ni Ne 0.007 0.082 0.103

Faktor Figure

12.7
Ni
0.007
0.007
Noise Factor = 10log10 12.7 = 11.04 dB

Noise factor and noise figure were less when operated at room
temperature.

Example 3
An antenna is connected to an amplifier with noise temperature, Te = 125 oK,
gain, G = 108. Given the bandwidth, B = 10 MHz and output receiver noise, No
= 10 W. Determine the antenna temperature, Ti and noise figure, F of the
receiver.

N o N i N e G

KTi B KTe B G
KBTi Te G

10 1.38 10 23 10 10 6 Ti 125 10 8
Ti 600 o K

Te
125
F 1
1
1.2
Ti
600

or

N i N e 100
F

1.2
Ni
82.8
(600+125)/600