What generally affects the ability of a receiver to detect signals?

The ability of a receiver to detect signals is significantly influenced by background noise, which refers to any unwanted or disruptive signals that can obscure or interfere with the desired signal. Background noise can stem from various sources, including electronic devices, environmental factors, and thermal noise within the receiver itself. When the level of background noise is high, the receiver may struggle to differentiate between the signal of interest and the noise, which ultimately affects its sensitivity and performance in detecting and interpreting signals.

Higher levels of background noise can lead to a diminished signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which is critical for effective communication and data interpretation. A lower SNR indicates that the signal is less distinguishable from the noise, making detection and analysis more challenging. Therefore, managing and reducing background noise is essential for improving the performance of receivers in signal detection.

Other factors, such as frequency range and signal processing capabilities, can influence detection but are secondary to the immediate impact of background noise. The type of coaxial cable may contribute to signal integrity but does not directly alter the receiver's baseline ability to detect signals relative to the pervasive impact of background noise.