Communication SystemHardQuestion 20325
Question
The term 'channel capacity' as defined by Shannon represents:
- AMaximum power that can be transmitted
- BTheoretical upper bound on error-free information rate achievableCorrect
- CThe physical bandwidth of the wire
- DThe number of users the system supports
Correct answer
Theoretical upper bound on error-free information rate achievable
Explanation
Shannon's channel capacity C = B log₂(1 + S/N) is the theoretical maximum rate at which information can be transmitted with arbitrarily low error probability. Actual systems approach but never exceed C. It is achieved only with infinitely complex coding in the limit. This theorem underpins all modern coding theory.