What's The Difference Between Channel Capacity And Bandwidth?

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Learn more about Teams What's the difference between Channel Capacity and Bandwidth? Ask Question Asked 3 years, 8 months ago Modified 3 years, 7 months ago Viewed 2k times 0

The definitions of Channel Capacity and Bandwidth I read are exactly the same, so what's the difference between them/their exact definitions?

The Nyquist formula is C = 2 * B * log2 M, so they can't mean the same thing.

• B = frequency bandwidth
• M = number of signal levels
• Channel Capacity source: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/maximum-data-rate-channel-capacity-for-noiseless-and-noisy-channels/
• Bandwidth source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandwidth_(computing)

• bandwidth

Share Improve this question Follow edited Mar 10, 2021 at 19:30 Zac67♦ 87.9k44 gold badges7373 silver badges137137 bronze badges asked Mar 10, 2021 at 16:26 ArielAriel 122 bronze badges 6

• They probably are the same, as there is no "official" definition of channel capacity. If you include the context of the term (a full quote or reference), we can say for sure. – Ron Trunk Commented Mar 10, 2021 at 16:28
• But the Nyquist formula is C=2Blog2M, so they can't be the same – Ariel Commented Mar 10, 2021 at 16:29
• Please include the reference where you see the term "channel capacity," – Ron Trunk Commented Mar 10, 2021 at 16:33
• Ok, I added it. – Ariel Commented Mar 10, 2021 at 16:37
• "Channel capacity" is the theoretical maximum of a channel (cable, WDM channel, ...), "bandwidth" is the (currently) usable data rate. imho. – Zac67 ♦ Commented Mar 10, 2021 at 16:59

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There is confusion between the definitions electrical engineers and computer scientists give to bandwidth: for electrical engineers bandwidth is a physical property and limitation of a trasmission channel,and it's measured in Hertz and it's an analog bandwidth. For computer scientists bandwidth is equal to the capacity or maximum data rate of a channel, it's a digital bandwidth and it's measured in bit/s. The two are related by the Nyquist formula, C = 2 * B * log2 M,where B is the analog bandwidth (Hertz) of the physical channel used for digital transmission,M is the number of discrete levels used to digitally represent the signal,C is the capacity or maximum data rate or digital bandwidth (bit/s) of the channel.

Share Improve this answer Follow edited Apr 9, 2021 at 21:15 Zac67♦ 87.9k44 gold badges7373 silver badges137137 bronze badges answered Mar 10, 2021 at 18:53 Stefano PertileStefano Pertile 3144 bronze badges Add a comment | 0

Based on my reading of the context, what is referred to as "channel capacity," I would call "Throughput."

Share Improve this answer Follow answered Mar 10, 2021 at 16:44 Ron TrunkRon Trunk 68k55 gold badges6666 silver badges126126 bronze badges Add a comment |

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