What is the effect of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on communication systems?

The effect of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on communication systems is fundamentally tied to the clarity of the received signal. A higher SNR indicates that the desired signal is much stronger than the background noise, leading to improved clarity and reliability of the signal. As SNR increases, the ability to differentiate the signal from noise allows for more accurate data transmission and reception.

In practical terms, when SNR is high, devices can more effectively decode the incoming data without errors, resulting in a clearer and more understandable output. This is crucial in various applications, such as telecommunications, where poor signal clarity can lead to misunderstandings or loss of data integrity.

The other options do not address the primary role of SNR in determining how well a signal can be received and interpreted, focusing instead on aspects like data transfer speed and operational parameters that, while related to performance, do not directly describe the quality of the received signal itself. Thus, option B accurately captures the essence of SNR's impact on communication systems.