AWGN SNR Generator: Basics and Applications

This page covers AWGN SNR generator basics. It mentions an application note covering how to use an AWGN Carrier to Noise Generator for BER testing. As we know, BER testing is very important to determine system performance.

It is possible to add an AWGN signal with a user-defined bandwidth and a user-defined carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) to the desired signal. Eb/No can also be provided as input. As per the entered CNR or Eb/No, BER is computed for the device under test.

Figure: AWGN generator used to perform BER testing.

It is very easy to use the AWGN generator. Just connect the output of the Device Under Test (DUT) as input to the AWGN generator. Take the output of the AWGN generator (‘signal + noise’ or ‘carrier + noise’) and feed it as input to the receiver part of the DUT. This way, BER can be computed.

For a signal without modulation, SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) is used, and for a signal with modulation, CNR (Carrier to Noise Ratio) is used in the test setup.

AWGN SNR or CNR Generator Manufacturers or Vendors

The following table mentions popular AWGN generator manufacturers or vendors.