Signal-to-Quantization Noise Ratio

The ratio of the wanted signal to the unwanted noise

Worst-case voltage SQR (minimum SQR)

Occurs for the lowest magnitude quantization
voltage

Note: Qe is maximum
Signal-to-Quantization Noise Ratio
SQR for a maximum input signal
Signal-to-Quantization Noise Ratio
For Linear PCM codes

where:
R = resistance (ohms)
v = rms signal voltage (volts)
q = quantization interval (volts)
v2/R = average signal power (watts)
(q2/12)/R = average quantization noise (watts)

if the resistances are assumed equal:

Signal-to-Quantization Noise Ratio
Other valid expressions

where:
M = number of quantizing levels
S/D = signal to distortion ratio
S/N = signal to noise ratio
n = number of bits
Signal-to-Quantization Noise Ratio
Examples
1. Determine the SQR for a 2 Vrms signal and a
quantization interval of 0.2 V.
ans. 30.8 dB

2. In PCM, assuming uniform quantization, what is the

signal-to-noise ratio in dB for an 8-bit code word?
ans. 49.8 dB

3. What is the signal-to-noise ratio in a PCM system with

512 quantizing levels using uniform quantization
ans. 55.95 dB
Examples (contd)

4. In an 11-bit code word with uniform quantizing, what is

S/N?

5. Assuming uniform quantizing in PCM system, what is

the S/N if there are 128 levels of quantization?
Examples (cond)

7
 Linear versus Nonlinear PCM Codes

(a) Linear encoding (b) nonlinear encoding

 Linear versus Nonlinear PCM Codes

Used for early PCM system

The magnitude change
between any two successive
steps is uniform
The accuracy (resolution)
for higher-amplitude analog
signals is the same as for the
lower-amplitude signals
SQR for lower-amplitude
signals is less than for higher
(a) Linear encoding amplitude signals
 Linear versus Nonlinear PCM Codes

More codes for lower

amplitudes, increased
quantization error for larger
amplitude signals (thus
decreasing SCR)

With voice transmission, low-

amplitude signals are more
likely to occur than large
amplitude signals
(a) Nonlinear encoding
 Idle Channel Noise

-a random, thermal noise that occurs when there is

no analog input signal to PAM sampler
2 Types of Quantization
Midrise quantization
The lowest-magnitude positive and negative
codes have the same voltage range as all the other
codes

Midtread quantization
A way to reduce idle channel noise
The first quantization interval is made larger
than the rest of the steps
Midrise versus Midtread quantization
Midrise versus Midtread quantization

Advantage of midtread
quantization:
Less idle channel noise

Disadvantage of midtread
quantization:
Larger possible magnitude for
Qe in the lowest quantization
interval
PCM Coding Methods

Methods used in quantizing PAM signals into 2n levels

1.Level-at-a-time coding

A PAM signal is compared to a ramp

waveform while a binary counter is being advanced
to a uniform rate. When the ramp waveform equals
or exceeds the PAM sample, the counter contains the
PCM code.
PCM Coding Methods (contd)

Methods used in quantizing PAM signals into 2n levels

2.Digit-at-a-time coding

Each digit of the PCM code is determined

sequentially. It is similar to a balance where known
reference weights are used to determine an
unknown weight.
PCM Coding Methods (contd)

Methods used in quantizing PAM signals into 2n levels

3.Word-at-a-time coding

Word-at-a-time coders are flash coders and

are more complicated than earlier coders. They are
useful for high-speed applications. One common
type of word-at-a-time coder uses multiple threshold
circuits
Noise in PCM Systems