Electrical Noise.pptVIP

Electrical Noise Wang C. Ng Nature of electrical noise Noise is caused by the small current and voltage fluctuations that are generated internally. Noise is basically due to the discrete nature of electrical charges. Externally generated noise is not considered here. Why study noise? It sets the lower limit for the detectable signals. It sets the upper limit for system gains. Develop mathematical models to take the effects of noise into account when analyzing electrical circuits/systems. Find ways to reduce noise. Thermal noise Due to random motion of electrons. It is ubiquitous (resistors, speakers, microphones, antennas, …) It is directly proportional to absolute temperature. White noise - Frequency independent up to 1013 Hz. Thermal noise modeling The noise amplitude is represented by the rms value: Thermal noise modeling The rms noise voltage for a 1-KW resistor is about 4 nV/Hz1/2. The amplitude distribution is Gaussian with m = 0 and s = vn . A series voltage source (vn) can be added to a resistor to account for the thermal noise. Thermal noise modeling Examples: A 1-KW resistor in a system with a bandwidth of 100 MHz generates about 40 mV of noise voltage. A 1-MW resistor in this system generates about 40 mV of noise voltage. 10 1-MW resistor in this system generates about 0.4 V of noise voltage. Shot noise Shot noise is due to the random arrivals of electron packets at the potential barrier of forward biased P/N junctions. It is always associated the a dc current flow in diodes and BJTs. It is frequency independent (white noise) well into the GHz region. Shot noise modeling The noise amplitude is represented by the rms value: Shot noise modeling The rms noise current for a diode current of 1 mA is about 20 pA/Hz1/2. The amplitude distribution is Gaussian with m = ID and s = in . A parallel current source (in) can be added to a diode to account for the shot noise. Shot noise modeling Examples: For a diode current of 1 mA in a bandwidth of 1 MHz shot