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Receiver Sensitivity Calculator

Estimate MDS: S = −174 + NF + 10·log10(BW) + SNR_min (dBm). Runs locally in your browser.

Instant result
Result
—

Enter values to calculate.

Inputs—
Mode—
Formula—
Trust summary CVP VERIFIED · CVP protocol 1.0.0-proposed · Engineering assurance
Input interpretation
Enter values to calculate.
Result
—
Assurance
Engineering
Declared partition coverage
PASS · 2/2 declared partitions (mds, invalid-domain) · Matrix
Known limitations
  • Thermal MDS identity; fixed kT0=−174 dBm/Hz
  • Core CVP does not include live graph, viewport, or pointer interaction.
Model
Receiver MDS / noise floor.
Scope
T0=290 K; flat NF
Verification
Engine tested · Source checked · v1.0.0 · CVP VERIFIED · CVP protocol 1.0.0-proposed · Engineering assurance· View Manifest · CVP overview · Specification
Versions
Calculation 1.0.0 · CVP protocol 1.0.0-proposed
CVP identity
1/1 property · digest 955e37f32000
Legacy regression
3/3 tests · Production surface contract 4/4
Reference
O1 model · O2 expected_values · O2 numerical_behavior
Interfaces
PASS · UI (SSR) / REST / MCP — ui-ssr is query-result HTML, not a live browser session.
Supplemental domain review
Internal · Pass
Named expert review
Not performed
CVP suite
1/1 golden · 1/1 CVP boundary · 1/1 invalid · 1/1 property · 1/1 cross-interface · 1/1 CVP contract · Manifest
Sources
  • RF receiver noise floor practice — MDS
  • ITU-R / kT0 thermal noise floor — −174 dBm/Hz at T0=290 K
Sources
Evidence
1 legacy golden · 1 legacy boundary · legacy regression suite · 1/1 oracle-backed golden · 1/1 invalid · Artifact integrity PASS · CalculatorX electrical review
This calculator CURRENT · Public schema 1.0.0 matches · Semantic contract ✓ · Production attested · Public/cache ✓ · Origin ✓
Semantic contract
PASS
Full verification

Manifest identity, reference classes, interfaces, suite, and production records.

Formulas

Core equations used by this calculator.

MDSS = −174 + NF + 10·log10(BW) + SNR
ikT0 = −174 dBm/Hz. Flat NF; no implementation loss.

How to use

1

Enter noise figure NF

NF in dB for the receiver chain.

2

Enter bandwidth and required SNR

BW > 0 (Hz) and SNR_dB as required by the demodulator.

3

Read sensitivity

S = −174 + NF + 10·log10(BW) + SNR (dBm, thermal floor at 290 K).

Example calculations

Common configurations with formula and result.

ϟ

NF=3 · 1 MHz · SNR=10

MDS

−174+3+60+10
−101 dBm

Receiver Sensitivity calculator specification

Version 1.0.0 · Engine tested · Supplemental domain review · Internal · 2026-08-09

Calculation status

Review policy · Evidence · Reviewed by CalculatorX electrical review

Definition
Thermal MDS: S_dBm = −174 + NF_dB + 10·log10(BW_Hz) + SNR_min_dB at T0=290 K.
What it calculates
Receiver MDS / noise floor.
Inputs
  • NF_dB
  • BW_Hz
  • SNR_dB
Outputs
  • S_dBm
  • noise_floor_dBm
Formula
S=−174+NF+10log10(BW)+SNR
Assumptions
  • T0=290 K; flat NF
Units
  • dB, Hz → dBm
Boundary conditions
  • BW≤0 → VALUE_MUST_BE_POSITIVE
Example
NF=3 BW=1e6 SNR=10 → −101 dBm
Validation cases

1 published on this page · 3/3 tests · Production surface contract 4/4 · View evidence

  • NF=3 BW=1e6 SNR=10 → S=-101
Sources
  • RF receiver noise floor practice — MDS
    Supports: S=−174+NF+10log10(B)+SNR
  • ITU-R / kT0 thermal noise floor — −174 dBm/Hz at T0=290 K
    Supports: Pinned thermal noise spectral density
Last reviewed
2026-08-09
Reviewed by
CalculatorX electrical review
Calculation version
1.0.0

Background

Interpretation and common distinctions.

Estimate receiver sensitivity (MDS).

Supported and not supported

Supported — MDS and noise floor · API electrical.rf.receiver_sensitivity

Not supported — Phase noise, IQ imbalance, coding gain

Agent / API notes

Capability id: electrical.rf.receiver_sensitivity · tool id: receiver-sensitivity · pin 1.0.0.

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Frequently asked questions

Key distinctions behind the calculation.

Why −174?

It is 10·log10(k·T0·1000) for T0=290 K in dBm/Hz.