The article delves into calculations revolving around Voyager 1’s transmission capabilities, focusing on crucial factors such as frequency, antenna size, and power. Surprisingly, despite Voyager’s impressive setup, the amount of photons actually reaching Earth is quite minimal, translating to merely 1500 photons per bit. The discussion extends to explore the Shannon limit and the energy required per bit, highlighting the stringent requirements dictated by factors like thermal and circuit noise. Ultimately, the analysis reveals the tight margin for error in achieving optimal communication at these frequencies, shining a light on the intricacies of space transmissions.
https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/816698/how-many-photons-are-received-per-bit-transmitted-from-voyager-1