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Thermal noise

Noise power from temperature, bandwidth and noise figure.

HB3YAQ · Ajdin HadzicLearning to take awayhttps://hb3yaq.ch/en/tools/noise-floor
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THE CALCULATION

Formula & context

N = kB · B · [T + 290 · (10^(NF/10) − 1)]

The source contributes kBTB. Receiver noise figure is converted at the 290 K reference into an equivalent added noise temperature, keeping the model consistent for other source temperatures.

A worked example

At 290 K with an ideal receiver, 1 Hz gives about −173.98 dBm. Ten times the bandwidth adds 10 dB of noise power.

UNDERSTANDING THE MODEL

Assumptions & limits

Use equivalent noise bandwidth. Atmospheric and local interference, ADC limitations and other receiver stages are excluded.

Noise, bandwidth and sensitivityUnderstand the reasoning →

From reading to experimenting

Thermal noise

At 290 K with an ideal receiver, 1 Hz gives about −173.98 dBm. Ten times the bandwidth adds 10 dB of noise power.

Open example with starting values →Noise bandwidth: 1 Hz · Temperature: 290 K · Noise figure at 290 K: 0 dBBack to the learning article →

Then change exactly one value. Compare the result and use the formula to explain why it changes. The model limits below the calculator also apply here.