Noise vs. Signal — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 9, 2024
Noise refers to unwanted or irrelevant information in a dataset, while signal denotes the meaningful and useful data.
Difference Between Noise and Signal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Noise in data or communication systems represents interference or irrelevant data, complicating the extraction of useful information. On the other hand, signal refers to the actual information that is intended to be conveyed or analyzed.
In statistical analysis, noise can skew results and make data interpretation challenging, whereas signal provides the necessary data points that contribute to meaningful insights.
In electronic communication, noise is typically any unwanted electrical disturbance that affects the clarity of the signal, whereas the signal itself is the transmission of useful information through a medium.
Noise can be random or systematic errors that cloud or distort the message, while signal maintains the integrity of the original data or message intended by the source.
In the context of signal processing, reducing noise is crucial for enhancing the quality of the signal, thus improving the overall effectiveness of communication or data interpretation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Unwanted or irrelevant information or errors.
Meaningful or useful information or data.
Impact
Obscures or distorts the relevant data.
Carries essential information or data.
In Communication
Interferes with clear message transmission.
Facilitates accurate message transmission.
Reduction
Focuses on minimizing interference.
Focuses on enhancing clarity and relevance.
Example
Static in radio transmissions.
The voice or music transmitted by radio.
Compare with Definitions
Noise
Irrelevant or superfluous information.
The graph was full of noise, making it hard to identify the trend.
Signal
Information transmitted or conveyed.
The signal was clear and the team proceeded with the plan.
Noise
Statistical fluctuations not explained by the intended model.
The financial model failed to account for economic noise.
Signal
Electrical impulses conveying information.
The phone converts voice into electrical signals.
Noise
Background disturbances in experimental measurements.
The lab results had noise due to equipment malfunctions.
Signal
A detectable transmission or message.
The satellite received a signal from the spacecraft.
Noise
Unwanted disturbances within a signal pathway.
The recording had a lot of noise due to poor microphone quality.
Signal
An indicator or a sign used to convey information.
The firefighter used a signal to coordinate the rescue.
Noise
General cacophony in a busy environment.
The noise in the cafeteria made conversation difficult.
Signal
The data actually intended to be analyzed in a dataset.
Researchers focused on extracting signal from the noisy data.
Noise
Noise is unwanted sound considered unpleasant, loud or disruptive to hearing. From a physics standpoint, noise is indistinguishable from desired sound, as both are vibrations through a medium, such as air or water.
Signal
In signal processing, a signal is a function that conveys information about a phenomenon. In electronics and telecommunications, it refers to any time varying voltage, current, or electromagnetic wave that carries information.
Noise
A sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that causes disturbance
Making a noise like a pig
What's that rustling noise outside the door?
Signal
An indicator, such as a gesture or colored light, that serves as a means of communication.
Noise
Irregular fluctuations that accompany a transmitted electrical signal but are not part of it and tend to obscure it
The enhancer can improve the video signal quality, reducing noise and increasing image sharpness
Signal
A message communicated by such means.
Noise
Talk about or make known publicly
You've discovered something that should not be noised about
Signal
Something that incites action
The peace treaty was the signal for celebration.
Noise
Make much noise
Rook, crow and jackdaw—noising loud
Signal
(Biology) A physical entity, such as a chemical or an electromagnetic wave, that activates a cell receptor and elicits a specific response.
Noise
Sound or a sound that is loud, unpleasant, unexpected, or undesired.
Signal
(Electronics) An impulse or fluctuating quantity, as of electrical voltage or light intensity, whose variations represent coded information.
Noise
Sound or a sound of any kind
The only noise was the wind in the pines.
Signal
(Computers) A sequence of digital values whose variations represent coded information.
Noise
A loud outcry or commotion
The noise of the mob.
A lot of noise over the new law.
Signal
The sound, image, or message transmitted or received by means of telecommunications.
Noise
(Physics) A disturbance, especially a random and persistent disturbance, that obscures or reduces the clarity of a signal.
Signal
Notably out of the ordinary
A signal feat.
A signal event.
Noise
(Computers) Irrelevant or meaningless data.
Signal
To make a signal to
I signaled the driver to proceed.
Noise
A complaint or protest.
Signal
To relate or make known by signals
They have signaled their willingness to negotiate.
Noise
Rumor; talk.
Signal
To cause an effect in (a cell) by the activation of a receptor, as by a neurotransmitter or hormone.
Noise
Noises Remarks or actions intended to convey a specific impression or to attract attention
"The U.S. is making appropriately friendly noises to the new Socialist Government" (Flora Lewis).
Signal
To make a signal or signals.
Noise
To spread the rumor or report of.
Signal
A sequence of states representing an encoded message in a communication channel.
Noise
(uncountable) Various sounds, usually unwanted or unpleasant.
He knew that it was trash day, when the garbage collectors made all the noise.
Signal
Any variation of a quantity or change in an entity over time that conveys information upon detection.
Noise
Any sound.
The sudden noise made everyone jump.
She crept up behind him not making a noise.
Signal
A sign made to give notice of some occurrence, command, or danger, or to indicate the start of a concerted action.
Noise
Sound or signal generated by random fluctuations.
Signal
An on-off light, semaphore, or other device used to give an indication to another person.
Noise
(technology) Any part of a signal or data that reduces the clarity, precision, or quality of the desired output.
Signal-to-noise ratio
Signal
(of a radio, TV, telephone, internet, etc.) An electromagnetic action, normally a voltage that is a function of time, that conveys the information of the radio or TV program or of communication with another party.
My mobile phone can't get a signal in the railway station.
Noise
Unwanted fuss or bustle; useless activity.
Signal
An action, change or process done to convey information and thus reduce uncertainty.
Noise
(genetics) The measured level of variation in gene expression among cells, regardless of source, within a supposedly identical population.
Signal
A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign.
Noise
Rumour or complaint.
The problems with the new computer system are causing a lot of noise at Head Office.
Signal
Useful information, as opposed to noise.
Noise
(informal) Speech that is suggestive of an attitude or opinion.
Signal
A simple interprocess communication used to notify a process or thread of an occurrence.
Noise
(obsolete) Music, in general; a concert; also, a company of musicians; a band.
Signal
(biochemistry) A signalling interaction between cells
Noise
(music) A genre of rock music that uses static and other non-musical sounds, also influenced by art rock.
Signal
(ambitransitive) To indicate; to convey or communicate by a signal.
I signalled my acquiescence with a nod.
He whistled to signal that we should stop.
Noise
(intransitive) To make a noise; to sound.
Signal
(transitive) To communicate with (a person or system) by a signal.
Seeing the flames, he ran to the control room and signalled headquarters.
Noise
(transitive) To spread news of; to spread as rumor or gossip.
Signal
Standing above others in rank, importance, or achievement.
A signal exploit; a signal success; a signal act of benevolence
Noise
Sound of any kind.
The heavens turn about in a most rapid motion without noiseto us perceived.
Signal
A sign made for the purpose of giving notice to a person of some occurence, command, or danger; also, a sign, event, or watchword, which has been agreed upon as the occasion of concerted action.
All obeyedThe wonted signal and superior voiceOf this great potentate.
Noise
Especially, loud, confused, or senseless sound; clamor; din.
Signal
A token; an indication; a foreshadowing; a sign.
The weary sun . . . Gives signal of a goodly day to-morrow.
There was not the least signal of the calamity to be seen.
Noise
Loud or continuous talk; general talk or discussion; rumor; report.
What noise have we had about transplantation of diseases and transfusion of blood!
Socrates lived in Athens during the great plague which has made so much noise in all ages.
Signal
Noticeable; distinguished from what is ordinary; eminent; remarkable; memorable; as, a signal exploit; a signal service; a signal act of benevolence.
As signal now in low, dejected stateAs erst in highest, behold him where he lies.
Noise
Music, in general; a concert; also, a company of musicians; a band.
The king has his noise of gypsies.
Signal
Of or pertaining to signals, or the use of signals in conveying information; as, a signal flag or officer.
Noise
To sound; to make a noise.
Signal
To communicate by signals; as, to signal orders.
Noise
To spread by rumor or report.
All these sayings were noised abroad.
Signal
To notify by a signals; to make a signal or signals to; as, to signal a fleet to anchor.
Noise
To disturb with noise.
Signal
Any communication that encodes a message;
Signals from the boat suddenly stopped
Noise
Sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound);
He enjoyed the street noises
They heard indistinct noises of people talking
During the firework display that ended the gala the noise reached 98 decibels
Signal
Any incitement to action;
He awaited the signal to start
The victory was a signal for wild celebration
Noise
The auditory experience of sound that lacks musical quality; sound that is a disagreeable auditory experience;
Modern music is just noise to me
Signal
An electric quantity (voltage or current or field strength) whose modulation represents coded information about the source from which it comes
Noise
Electrical or acoustic activity that can disturb communication
Signal
Communicate silently and non-verbally by signals or signs;
He signed his disapproval with a dismissive hand gesture
The diner signaled the waiters to bring the menu
Noise
A loud outcry of protest or complaint;
The announcement of the election recount caused a lot of noise
Whatever it was he didn't like it and he was going to let them know by making as loud a noise as he could
Signal
Be a signal for or a symptom of;
These symptoms indicate a serious illness
Her behavior points to a severe neurosis
The economic indicators signal that the euro is undervalued
Noise
Incomprehensibility resulting from irrelevant information or meaningless facts or remarks;
All the noise in his speech concealed the fact that he didn't have anything to say
Signal
Notably out of the ordinary;
The year saw one signal triumph for the Labour party
Noise
The quality of lacking any predictable order or plan
Noise
Emit a noise
Common Curiosities
What is the primary goal when filtering noise in a dataset?
The primary goal is to enhance the clarity and relevance of the signal.
How can noise affect communication?
Noise can distort or obscure the clarity of a signal, making it difficult to understand the intended message.
How is signal different from noise in electronics?
Signal represents the actual data or information, whereas noise is the unwanted interference.
Can noise ever be completely eliminated in communication?
Complete elimination of noise is challenging, but it can be significantly reduced.
What is noise in data analysis?
Noise refers to random or irrelevant data points that do not contribute meaningful information to analysis.
Why is signal processing important?
It helps in the accurate transmission and reception of information by enhancing the signal.
What are common sources of noise in electronic devices?
Common sources include electromagnetic interference and component malfunctions.
What role does signal-to-noise ratio play?
It measures the level of desired signal compared to the level of background noise.
What techniques are used to reduce noise?
Techniques include signal processing filters, noise-cancelling algorithms, and improved hardware designs.
How does noise impact statistical analysis?
It can lead to inaccuracies in data interpretation and skew results.
What is an example of noise in a physical setting?
Background chatter in a crowded place can be considered noise.
How do you identify a signal in a noisy dataset?
Techniques like smoothing, averaging, and statistical modeling help identify the signal.
Can noise be useful in any scenario?
Sometimes, noise can be used to enhance security in data transmission or to mask sensitive signals.
What is an example of signal in a physical setting?
An alarm sounding in an emergency acts as a signal.
How does digital technology help in separating noise from signal?
Digital technology uses algorithms and digital filtering to isolate and enhance the signal.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
