Wiktionary
n. 1 (context sciences English) A figure of merit comparing the strength of a signal carrying information to the noise interfering with it. 2 (context colloquial English) A way of describing how much interesting information is included in a message or conversation.
WordNet
n. the ratio of signal intensity to noise intensity [syn: signal-to-noise, signal/noise ratio, signal/noise, S/N]
Wikipedia
Signal-to-noise ratio (abbreviated SNR or S/N) is a measure used in science and engineering that compares the level of a desired signal to the level of background noise. It is defined as the ratio of signal power to the noise power, often expressed in decibels. A ratio higher than 1:1 (greater than 0 dB) indicates more signal than noise. While SNR is commonly quoted for electrical signals, it can be applied to any form of signal (such as isotope levels in an ice core or biochemical signaling between cells).
The signal-to-noise ratio, the bandwidth, and the channel capacity of a communication channel are connected by the Shannon–Hartley theorem.
Signal-to-noise ratio is sometimes used informally to refer to the ratio of useful information to false or irrelevant data in a conversation or exchange. For example, in online discussion forums and other online communities, off-topic posts and spam are regarded as "noise" that interferes with the "signal" of appropriate discussion.
The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is used in imaging as a physical measure of the sensitivity of a (digital or film) imaging system. Industry standards measure SNR in decibels (dB) of power and therefore apply the 10 log rule to the "pure" SNR ratio (a ratio of 1:1 yields 0 decibels, for instance). In turn, yielding the "sensitivity." Industry standards measure and define sensitivity in terms of the ISO film speed equivalent; SNR:32.04 dB = excellent image quality and SNR:20 dB = acceptable image quality.
Usage examples of "signal-to-noise ratio".
It was a terrible picture, though, the signal-to-noise ratio was so bad.
By avoiding naming and analysis, and by becoming aware of our lifetime conditioning, we can learn to view with naked awareness and greatly increase the signal-to-noise ratio of our process.
Its efficiency is less than two percent, which makes it useless for general scanning because of the poor signal-to-noise ratio, but since we already know roughly where the beam is, we should be able to filter out extraneous signals and eventually locate it with the necessary precision.
Then signal-to-noise ratio went all to hell as India Spring's rear came alight with a blue glow.
Every time you play the record, the signal-to-noise ratio gets worse.
I had argued, unsuccessfully, that there might be emergency situations, or unfore-seen circumstances, in which the signal-to-noise ratio on the regular voice link would be below threshold.
I had argued, unsuccessfully, that there might be emergency situations, or unforeseen circumstances, in which the signal-to-noise ratio on the regular voice link would be below threshold.