Calculate BER, expected bit errors, required test bits, and zero-error test duration from transmitted bits, confidence level, and data rate.

Compare errors with the total number of bits checked.

Whole bits after conversion. KB, MB and GB use decimal prefixes.

Bit Error Rate Formula

The following formula can be used to calculate a bit error rate.

BER = EB / NB
  • Where BER is the bit error rate
  • EB is the number of bits received in error
  • NB is the number of bits received in total

To calculate bit error rate, divide the number of bits in error by the total bits received.

Bit Error Rate Definition

A bit error rate is a measure of the quality of the digital transmission of a system. It’s defined as the ratio of bits received in error divided by the total number of bits received.

Bit Error Rate Example

How to calculate a bit error rate?

  1. First, determine the total number of bits.

    Calculate the total number of bits received.

  2. Next, determine the number of errors.

    Calculate the total number of bits received in error.

  3. Finally, calculate the bit error rate.

    Calculate the bit error rate by dividing the bit errors by total bits.

FAQ

What is a bit error rate?

A bit error rate is a ratio of the total number of bits received in error to the total number of bits.