Telecom & Networking

Intermediate

Nyquist Data Rate

Maximum data rate for a noiseless channel with M signal levels.

Formula

C = 2B \log_2 M

Variables

CData rate (bps)

BBandwidth (Hz)

MSignal levels

Example

B=3000 Hz, M=4: C = 6000×2 = 12,000 bps

Did You Know?

The Nyquist rate explains why old telephone modems maxed out near 56 kbps on a 3.4 kHz line.

telecom nyquist data rate

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