Enter the bandwidth and signal-to-noise ratio into the calculator to determine the channel capacity. This calculator can also evaluate any of the variables given the others are known.

Channel Capacity Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the channel capacity. 

C = B * log2(1 + SNR)

Variables:

  • C is the channel capacity (bps)
  • B is the bandwidth of the channel (Hz)
  • SNR is the signal-to-noise ratio (dimensionless)

To calculate the channel capacity, multiply the bandwidth of the channel by the logarithm base 2 of 1 plus the signal-to-noise ratio. This will give the maximum rate at which data can be transmitted over the communication channel without error.

What is a Channel Capacity?

Channel capacity, in information theory, refers to the maximum rate at which data can be transmitted over a communication channel without error, given certain constraints such as signal noise and interference. It is typically measured in bits per second (bps) and depends on the bandwidth of the channel and the signal-to-noise ratio. The concept of channel capacity was introduced by Claude Shannon in his foundational work on information theory.

How to Calculate Channel Capacity?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Channel Capacity using the given formula:

  1. First, determine the bandwidth of the channel (B) in Hz.
  2. Next, determine the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) which is dimensionless.
  3. Next, use the formula C = B * log2(1 + SNR) to calculate the channel capacity (C) in bps.
  4. Finally, calculate the Channel Capacity.
  5. After inserting the values of B and SNR into the formula and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem:

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge:

Bandwidth of the channel (B) = 1000 Hz

Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) = 10