The Signal to Noise Ratio is a ratio of desired signal to undesired signal (noise) in the average power level of a transmission. The signal is what you are measuring that is the result of the presence of your analyte. Noise is extraneous information that can interfere with or alter the signal. It can not be completely eliminated, but hopefully reduced.

If there is too much noise in a circuit, the Signal to Noise Ratio is low. If the circuit is of good quality, the Signal to Noise Ratio will be high.

Signal to Noise Ratio is abbreviated SNR.

Signal to Noise Ratio Objectives

  1. Reduce as much of the noise as possible by carefully controlling conditions
  2. Increase the signal to noise ratio
  3. A S/N ratio of 3 is usually the minimum that is acceptable