What does the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) indicate in wireless communication?

The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is a critical metric in wireless communication that quantifies the level of a desired signal in comparison to the background noise present in the environment. A higher SNR indicates that the desired signal is much stronger than the noise, which typically results in better clarity and reliability of the communication. This is fundamental since effective communication relies on accurately distinguishing the signal from unwanted noise, impacting data transmission quality and error rates.

By measuring the SNR, engineers can assess the quality of a wireless link and make necessary adjustments to improve performance, such as altering the transmission power, frequency, or use of error correction techniques. Thus, understanding and optimizing SNR is vital for achieving efficient and robust wireless communication systems.