Gaussian noise

(communications) Noise that has a frequency distribution which follows the Gaussian curve.
(mathematics) Wiener process

(1) In communications, a random interference generated by the movement of electricity in the line. It is similar to white noise, but confined to a narrower range of frequencies. You can actually see and hear Gaussian noise when you tune your TV to a channel that is not operating. Contrast with white noise and pink noise. See Gaussian distribution and Gaussian blur.

(2) A random distribution of artifacts in analog video images that makes everything look soft and slightly blurry. On close inspection, one can see tiny specks in random patterns. Found on films shot with older cameras as well as films and videotapes that have been archived for a long time, dynamic noise reduction (DNR) circuits can eliminate much of the Gaussian noise when the analog material is converted to digital. See dynamic noise reduction.

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Gaussian noise is statistical noise that has a probability density function (abbreviated pdf) of the normal distribution (also known as Gaussian distribution). In other words, the values that the noise can take on are Gaussian-distributed. It is most commonly used as additive white noise to yield additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN).

Explanation

Gaussian noise is properly defined as the noise with a Gaussian amplitude distribution. This says nothing of the correlation of the noise in time or of the spectral density of the noise. Labeling Gaussian noise as 'white' describes the correlation of the noise. It is necessary to use the term "white Gaussian noise" to be correct. Gaussian noise is sometimes misunderstood to be white Gaussian noise, but this is not the case.

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