Is It Shot Noise or Avalanche Noise in Your Circuit?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the source of noise in a specific circuit using npn bipolar transistors, with participants debating whether the noise is primarily shot noise or avalanche noise. The scope includes theoretical considerations and potential experimental approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that different sources attribute the noise to either shot noise or avalanche noise, indicating a lack of consensus.
  • One participant provides links to external sources that support both claims, suggesting that the determination may depend on the context.
  • Another participant raises the idea of using liquid nitrogen to investigate the noise characteristics, although the effectiveness of this approach is uncertain.
  • It is proposed that avalanche noise could be considered a type of shot noise, as both involve discrete charge carriers, but the specifics may vary based on circuit details and transistor types.
  • There is an acknowledgment that shot noise is likely always present, regardless of the primary noise source.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the noise is shot noise or avalanche noise, and multiple competing views remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexity of defining noise types in circuits, with dependencies on circuit specifics and the characteristics of the transistors used. There are unresolved questions regarding the impact of external conditions, such as temperature, on noise behavior.

Mr Peanut
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I frequently see the following circuit being used as a noise generator:

OpenCollectorNPN.png


... where the transistors are basic npn bipolar transistors.

Some authors attribute the noise to shot noise while others say it is avalanche noise.

How do I determine which is correct?
 
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For example:
http://sanchezdavid.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/circuits-ii-term-paper-final.pdf
Attributes it to shot noise.

Here's on that says it avalanche noise: http://web.jfet.org/hw-rng.html
 
I have no idea. But wonder whether dunking it in liquid nitrogen would reveal anything useful?
 
Couldn't it be argued that avalanche noise is a type of shot noise?
The "definition" of shot noise is that it is noise caused by the fact the the current/signal is carried by discrete carriers; and from what I understand this is also the case for avalanche noise.

That said, I suspect it will depend on the details of the circuit, avanches occur at height field gradients and whether or not this is the case will probably depend on the exact type of transistor you are using. You will probably also always have quite a bit of shot noise.
 

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