Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

In telecommunications, noise refers to random, unpredictable signals that interfere with and mask the intended information signal. This unwanted interference can manifest as static in radio transmissions or "snow" on television screens. Noise can originate from natural sources, such as lightning, or from human-made sources, like electrical power lines and machinery. It can also arise from the inherent random movement of electrons within electronic components. Noise, along with distortion and attenuation, degrades the quality of transmitted signals and can lead to errors in reception. Various techniques, including signal processing and increasing transmitter power to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, are employed to mitigate its effects.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.