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Minimum Detectable Signal (MDS) Calculator

rf signal minimum detectable signal noise figure receiver sensitivity

This page provides a Minimum Detectable Signal (MDS) calculator, part of a suite of converters and calculators.

MDS stands for Minimum Detectable Signal.

Inputs

Outputs

EXAMPLE:

  • INPUTS: Bandwidth = 10000 Hz, Noise Figure = 15.1 dB
  • OUTPUT: MDS = -118.9 dBm

Minimum Detectable Signal Equation

The sensitivity of an RF receiver is defined as the minimum signal strength that can be detected and successfully reproduced. MDS is essentially another term used to represent the same concept.

The following equation is used to calculate the Minimum Detectable Signal (MDS):

MDS, Minimum Detectable Signal equation