Array gain
Array gain measures SNR improvement from coherent signal addition across elements.
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Array gain is a measure of the improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) achieved by an array antenna system. It is defined as the SNR of the array output signal divided by the SNR of the array input signal. The improvement arises because the signal is coherently added from N array elements, while noise is incoherently added from those same elements.
Background
Array gain is distinct from terms such as 'gain,' 'power gain,' 'directive gain,' or 'directivity.' However, if the noise environment around the array is isotropic and the array input signal is from an isotropic radiator, then array gain equals gain as defined from the array beam pattern. The terms 'power gain' and 'directive gain' are deprecated by IEEE. In practice, array gain is realized by using multiple antenna elements; for a uniformly weighted array (un-tapered, with all elements contributing equally), the array gain equals the number of elements N.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Array gain (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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