What does a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) near or below 30 dB indicate in a QAM channel?

A signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) near or below 30 dB suggests that the quality of the QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) channel is precarious for reliable reception. In digital communication, SNR is a critical measure of signal quality; a higher SNR indicates a clearer signal that can be easily distinguished from background noise. An SNR around 30 dB signifies a borderline threshold where the signal may experience some degradation due to noise interference. This could lead to potential issues in data transmission, resulting in dropped packets or reduced throughput. Therefore, while it may still function under certain conditions, the reliability of the reception is compromised, often requiring monitoring or intervention to ensure stable performance.