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1.2 Basic Radio Frequency Terminology

The following terminology has been developed to support the SEAMCAT simulation tool. While it is broadly in line with what is in use in ITU-R, ETSI, and CEPT, it may be expected that for other needs or documents, ETSI and CEPT/ECC will use different definitions, for example definitions more focused on specific equipment characteristics or aspects of such products.

1.2.1 Receiver thermal noise

The thermal noise (in Watts) expressed in power level is defined as:  where:                  ...

1.2.2 Noise figure and Noise factor

Noise figure (NF) and noise factor (F) are measures of degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio (...

1.2.3 Receiver noise floor

Any practical measurement will be subject to some form of noise or unwanted signal (thermal noise...

1.2.4 Receiver sensitivity

The sensitivity of a receiver is normally taken as the minimum input signal (Smin) required to pr...

1.2.5 Wanted signal: dRSS

The victim’s wanted signal strength also called desired Received Signal Strength (dRSS), correspo...

1.2.6 Interfering signal: iRSS

The interfering Received Signal Strength (iRSS), corresponding to the interference level (I), is ...

1.2.7 Bandwidth correction factor

When the bandwidth of the interferer and the victim are different, SEAMCAT automatically applies ...

1.2.8 Desensitisation

Desensitisation (D) of the receiver in the presence of an interfering signal, given in dB, corres...

1.2.9 Blocking

The term “Blocking” is used in SEAMCAT to describe the capability of the victim receiver to recei...

1.2.10 Adjacent channel selectivity (ACS)

The receiver selectivity is often given as Adjacent Channel Selectivity (ACS) – i.e. when the con...

1.2.11 In-band, out-of-band, spurious, unwanted emission

In-band emission is understood as relating to the necessary bandwidth. The ITU-R Radio Regulation...

1.2.12 Co channel

A co-channel interference scenario can be illustrated as shown in figure below. In this case a pa...