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Signals and Noise

This document discusses signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and methods to improve it. SNR is important because noise cannot be eliminated and interferes with the measurement signal. A higher SNR means more precise measurements and lower limits of detection. SNR can be enhanced by reducing noise through techniques like signal averaging, filtering, and controlling environmental and instrumental sources of noise. The goal is to increase the signal relative to the noise. A SNR of 3 or higher is generally acceptable.

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Sowjanya Balaga
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86 views18 pages

Signals and Noise

This document discusses signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and methods to improve it. SNR is important because noise cannot be eliminated and interferes with the measurement signal. A higher SNR means more precise measurements and lower limits of detection. SNR can be enhanced by reducing noise through techniques like signal averaging, filtering, and controlling environmental and instrumental sources of noise. The goal is to increase the signal relative to the noise. A SNR of 3 or higher is generally acceptable.

Uploaded by

Sowjanya Balaga
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Signals and Noise

Signal to Noise Ratio Types of Noise Signal to Noise Ratio Enhancement


Signal Averaging Filtering

SignalSignal-Noise Ratio


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!
True Noise is considered random!
Indeterminate error

Since noise can not be eliminated (it is random), we are more interested in the S/N ratio than the intensity of the noise
mean Signal ! standard deviation Noise X ! s

This is mathematically the inverse of the RSD, or we can say that

S 1 ! N RSD

S/N Objective?


Reduce as much of the noise as possible by carefully controlling conditions Temperature, power supply variations, etc. etc. etc. Increase the signal to noise ratio THIS IS THE NAME OF THE GAME! More signal vs. noise means a lower STDEV! More precise measurement Lower STDEV means a lower LOD Lower limits of detection A S/N ratio of 3 is usually the minimum that is acceptable. Why? What is the significance of 3?

Types of Noise..


Chemical Noise
Undesired chemical reactions Reaction/technique/instrument specific

Instrumental Noise
Germane to all types of instruments Can often be controlled physically (e.g. temp) or electronically (software averaging)

Instrumental Noise


Thermal (Johnson) Noise:


Thermal agitation of electrons affects their smooth flow. Due to different velocities and movement of electrons in electrical components. Dependent upon both temperature and the range of frequencies (frequency bandwidths) being utilized. Can be reduced by reducing temperature of electrical components.
Eliminated at absolute zero.

Considered white noise because it is independent of frequency (but dependent on frequency bandwidth or the range of frequencies being measured).

Shot Noise:
Occurs when electrons or charged particles cross junctions (different materials, vacuums, etc.) Considered white noise because it is independent of frequency.
It is the same at any frequency but also dependent on frequency bandwidth

Due to the statistical variation of the flow of electrons (current) across some junction
Some of the electrons jump across the junction right away Some of the electrons take their time jumping across the junction

Flicker Noise
Frequency dependent Significant at frequencies less than 100 Hz Magnitude is inversely proportional to frequency Results in long-term drift in electronic longcomponents Can be controlled by using special wire resistors instead of the less expensive carbon type.

Environmental Noise
Unlimited possible sources Can often be eliminated by eliminating the source
Other noise sources can not be eliminated!!!!!!

Methods of eliminating it
Moving the instrument somewhere else Isolating /conditioning the instruments power source Controlling temperature in the room


Control expansion/contraction of components in instrument Stray light from open windows, panels on instrument Turning off radios, TVs, other instruments

Eliminating interferences
 

Signal Averaging (one way of controlling noise)




Ensemble Averaging
Collect multiple signals over the same time or wavelength (for example) domain EASILY DONE WITH COMPUTERS!

  

Calculate the mean signal at each point in the domain ReRe-plot the averaged signal Since noise is random (some +/ some -), this helps reduce the overall noise by cancellation!

Boxcar Averaging
Take an average of 2 or more signals in some domain Plot these points as the average signal in the same domain Can be done with just one set of data You lose some detail in the overall signal

Polynomial Smoothing


Like Boxcar Averaging Multipoint digital data averaging Results in loss of some data at the beginning and the end of the data set.

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