
	carrier-to-noise ratio


	Home > Networking Definitions - Carrier-to-noise ratio

SearchNetworking.com Definitions (Powered by WhatIs.com)

EMAIL THIS

LOOK UP TECH TERMS		Powered by:

Browse tech terms alphabetically:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

carrier-to-noise ratio

Show me everything on Network Performance Management

- In communications, the carrier-to-noise ratio, often written CNR or C/N, is a measure of the received carrier strength relative to the strength of the received noise. High C/N ratios provide better quality of reception, and generally higher communications accuracy and reliability, than low C/N ratios.

Engineers specify the C/N ratio in decibels (dB) between the power in the carrier of the desired signal and the total received noise power. If the incoming carrier strength in microwatts is P_c and the noise level, also in microwatts, is P_n, then the carrier-to-noise ratio, C/N, in decibels is given by the formula

C/N = 10 log₁₀(P_c/P_n)

The C/N ratio is measured in a manner similar to the way the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) is measured, and both specifications give an indication of the quality of a communications channel. However, the S/N ratio specification is more meaningful in practical situations. The C/N ratio is commonly used in satellite communications systems to point or align the receiving dish; the best dish alignment is indicated by the maximum C/N ratio.

Learn more about Network Performance Management

Desktop virtualization network challenges: A primer: Are you prepared to handle the network challenges that arise from desktop virtualization?
Storage area networks change management primer: Storage area network change management tools help network managers avoid application outages using performance monitoring, mapping and simulation.
Virtualization change and configuration management primer: Virtualization configuration and change management place great demands on NCCM processes, demanding tools for complex monitoring, mapping and databases.
Network change and configuration management primer: Network change and configuration management enables enterprises to update and troubleshoot networks without downtime.
Network management frameworks: FCAPS and ITIL: Network management is a complex topic. Thus far, two frameworks exist that can be of some use for understanding and taming network management: FCAPS and ITIL.

LAST UPDATED:

06 Nov 2006

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com

FILE EXTENSION AND FILE FORMAT LIST
File Extension and File Format List:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

RELATED CONTENT

	Web gateway helps Texas manufacturer develop network user management Streaming Internet video and radio were choking a Texas manufacturer's network; a Web gateway box let them see how bad the problem was and develop...
	Desktop virtualization network challenges: A primer Are you prepared to handle the network challenges that arise from desktop virtualization?
	Green enterprise: Three networking investments that make a difference Beefing up the network for unified communications can be greener than buying new components.

RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS

Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary

baseboard management controller (SearchNetworking.com)
A baseboard management controller (BMC) is a specialized service processor that monitors the physical state of a computer, network server or other...

fault management (SearchNetworking.com)
Fault management is the component of network management concerned with detecting, isolating and resolving problems... (Continued)

Networking & carrier-to-noise ratio Solutions

SEARCH

TechTarget provides technology professionals with the information they need to perform their jobs - from developing strategy, to making cost-effective purchase decisions and managing their organizations' technology projects - with its network of technology-specific websites, events and online magazines.


TechTarget Corporate Web Site \| Media Kits \| Site Map All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2000 - 2009, TechTarget \| Read our Privacy Policy