The Measurement of Statistical Properties of Radio Noise Using Pulse Techniques

Abstract

The statistical properties of radio noise have been investigated by means of a wide-band radio receiving system and techniques similar to those employed in nuclear physics. Measurement of the amplitude probability distribution of broad-band noise at a rural location has shown that it can be represented by a Rayleigh distribution over a much wider dynamic range than is commonly observed. The time distribution of the largest observed noise amplitudes appears to be non-random.