Signal-to-noise ratio, at any point in an electronic circuit, device, or transmission system, is the ratio of a parameter of a desired signal to the same parameter of the noise.
In its technical sense, signal-to-noise ratio is, at any point in an electronic circuit, device, or transmission system, the ratio of a chosen parameter of a desired signal to the same or corresponding parameter of the accompanying noise. The parameter compared is often power or voltage, and the ratio expresses how the desired signal compares to the noise present with it at that point. It is commonly expressed in decibels.
This precise definition allows signal-to-noise ratio to be measured and compared consistently across systems and components. A higher ratio indicates a stronger signal relative to noise, which corresponds to better quality and more reliable recovery of the information.
In commercial and industrial communication and AV, maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio throughout a system is essential to quality. Cable and connections that preserve the signal and reject noise contribute to a favorable ratio.
Because a higher ratio indicates a stronger signal relative to noise, signal-to-noise ratio corresponds to better quality and more reliable recovery of the information, and cable that preserves the signal while rejecting noise contributes directly to a favorable ratio through a system.
At Windy City Wire, the focus on shielded, low-noise low-voltage cable supports a high signal-to-noise ratio across a system. Supplying cable that preserves the signal and rejects interference helps keep the desired signal well above the noise in commercial and industrial applications.
SNR (signal-to-noise ratio)