Correction to Friis Noise Factors

Abstract

The signal-to-noise ratio of a multistage cascade network is often estimated using Friis formulas for noise factors (or the noise figures in decibel). In this letter, the correct formulas to calculate the stage-wise noise factors and the total noise factor in terms of the stage-wise noise factors of an n-stage cascade network are derived. A comparison of our derived formulas for noise factors with Friis's formulas is presented. Contrary to Friis's total noise factor in terms of the stage-wise noise factors, we define the actual total noise factor of the n-stage cascade network as the product of its stage-wise noise factors.