Glossary  >  Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR)

Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR)

Noun

Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR) is a signal performance metric that measures signal quality in terms of the strength of a wanted signal compared to interference and noise. It's a ratio of how much signal you’re getting against how much noise is present.

SINR is measured in decibels (dB) and typically ranges from -3 dB to 30 dB, where positive values indicate a strong signal and low interference. SINR is a key metric when trying to achieve the best call quality and data connection, especially when using a cell phone signal booster.

High SINR shows that you’re receiving a strong signal with little interference, which translates into better call quality, faster data speeds, and fewer dropped calls.

Common sources of noise and interference include:

  • Inter-cell interference (ICI) at the cell edge
  • Small cells and distributed antenna systems (DAS)
  • Passive intermodulation (PIM)
  • High-density cell sites
  • High traffic volume

Example of Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio in a sentence

"Optimizing signal to interference and noise ratio is essential to improving a mobile subscriber's overall user experience."

Related Terms for Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio

See Also: Why Your Cell Phone Keeps Dropping Calls and How to Fix It