Analysis of Correlator Signal-to-Noise Characteristics

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the output signal-to-noise ratio for a correlator consisting of a multiplier followed by an
RC
averager. Both the signal and the noise are assumed to be band-limited functions with Gaussian amplitude distribution; but no restrictions are imposed on either the input SNR or the product of the bandwidth and the time constant of the averager. A family of curves are plotted relating output and input SNR's for values of
RC\Deltaf
ranging from 0.1 to 100. The dependence of output SNR characteristics on the relative values of bandwidth and center frequency is discussed.