[sdiy] gaussian noise related to white noise

[Magnus Danielson]

From: "Czech Martin" <Martin.Czech at micronas.com>
Subject: [sdiy] gaussian noise related to white noise
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2003 10:23:10 +0200

> AFAIR the relation between gaussian noise and white
> noise was, that the pure random white noise (equal probability
> for all possible amplitude values) gets to the bell curve
> via averaging, i.e. low pass filtering.

Eh... no!

Gaussian noise and white noise is the same. The gaussian distribution is the
statistical chance of the signal to have a certain voltage (or whatever messure
is applicable). Thus, the gaussian distribution is a property of the white
noise and is often called gaussian noise when the distribution is of
importance. The real definition is really that it is noise such that there is
equal noise energy per Hertz over the whole frequency band (of practical
interest). Noise according to this definition has the gaussian distribution and
can be proved separately.

It is by the way useless to talk about "Peak-to-peak" measures on white noise,
since there is always a small chance for very high amplitudes. Noise should be
measured in power (RMS) and the noise bandwidth should be given with the
measure.

> What are the design specs for such a lowpass.
> I think I knew it, but I can't remember, 
> I guess I'm getting old.

I think you are confusing things with pink noise.

And yes, you are getting old. You got older just reading this email. You
probably got even older waiting for an answer.

Cheeers,
Magnus - aging