SNR
Science & Engineering abbreviation · Electronics & Electrical
| Stands for | Signal-to-noise ratio |
|---|---|
| Categories | Science & Engineering |
SNR stands for Signal-to-noise ratio, an electronics & electrical abbreviation.
Ratio of the strength of a desired signal to the background noise, usually expressed in decibels. A higher SNR means a clearer signal, whether in audio equipment, radio links, Wi-Fi, images or scientific measurements.
Example: At an SNR of 25 dB the Wi-Fi link supports high data rates, but below 10 dB it becomes unreliable.
Usage notes
For voltage measurements, SNR in decibels is 20 times the base-10 logarithm of the amplitude ratio; for power it is 10 times. The Shannon-Hartley theorem links SNR and bandwidth to the maximum data rate a channel can carry. Also written S/N.
Related abbreviations
More electronics & electrical abbreviations
- RFI – Radio-frequency interference
- RMS – Root mean square
- SCR – Silicon-controlled rectifier
- SMD – Surface-mount device
- SMPS – Switched-mode power supply
- SMT – Surface-mount technology
- SoC – System on a chip
- SPDT – Single-pole, double-throw
- SPI – Serial Peripheral Interface
- SPICE – Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis
- SPST – Single-pole, single-throw
- TFT – Thin-film transistor