G/T
Pronunciation: G over T
Figure of merit for a receiving system, expressed as the ratio of antenna gain (G) to system noise temperature (T) in dB/K. A higher G/T indicates better receive sensitivity.
Full Definition
G/T (pronounced 'G over T') is the standard metric for quantifying the receive performance of a satellite ground station or spacecraft. It accounts for both the antenna's ability to collect signal energy and the thermal noise introduced by the entire receive chain. G/T is expressed in dB/K and appears prominently in link budget analyses and ITU filings. Editors should note the solidus notation (G/T, not GT or G-T) and ensure units are stated explicitly. Confusing G/T with EIRP — which describes transmit performance — is a common editorial error in technical proposals.
Usage
Usage note: Render with a solidus: G/T. Do not write as 'GT' or 'G-T'. Always include units (dB/K) when a numerical value is given.
In Context
- "The parabolic reflector upgrade raised the teleport's G/T from 24 dB/K to 31 dB/K." — System Performance Report
- "Reviewers should verify that each G/T value in the link budget table is accompanied by its reference frequency and elevation angle." — Editorial Review Checklist