Algorithm and performance of a noncoherent SNR estimator
C.-S. Tsang, G.L. Lui, Kam-Tim Woo · 2002
This paper presents an algorithm to estimate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a communication signal in noise by noncoherent signal processing. The system is digital in structure and can be flexibly implemented either in hardware or software. The system performance is analyzed theoretically and verified by simulation. It is found that for a practical range of SNR, the estimator performs very well with an estimation error well within a fraction of a dB. Since the system is noncoherent carrier synchronization is not required. Moreover, a higher symbol synchronization jitter can be accommodated by using one sample per symbol when the system is operating in a low SNR environment.