Wednesday, 10 January 2018

Confusion between Voltage gain & Voltage gain in decibels (dB)


The definition of voltage gain is $V_{\text{out}}/V_{\text{in}}$.



However, I read some articles about the gain in decibels, and I have a confusion now.


Here is an article about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gain#Voltage_gain


Here, I understand the definition of Power gain in decibels, which is Gain=10log(PoutPin) dB


However, I can't understand why Voltage gain in decibels is 20log(VoutVin) dB


If $ 20 \log \left( {V_{\text{out}} \over V_{\text{in}}} \right)\text{ dB} $ is derived from 10log(V2outRout)(V2inRin) dB then this is the power gain, not the voltage gain, isn't it? However, the Wikipedia says it is a formula for the Voltage gain in decibels. I thought the voltage gain in decibels would be $ 10 \log \left( {V_{\text{out}} \over V_{\text{in}}} \right)\text{ dB} $. Actually, the example section in that linked page uses voltage gain $ V_{\text{out}} \over V_{\text{in}} $.


Why did $V^2/R$ suddenly come out from the voltage gain in decibels?



Answer



As you say, the decibel is a unit of power ratio.


$ G\ [\mathrm{dB}] = 10 \log_{10}\left(\dfrac{P_1}{P_2}\right)$.


When the input and output impedances are equal and then we can express the gain in terms of voltage as



$ G\ [\mathrm{dB}] = 20 \log_{10}\left(\dfrac{V_1}{V_2}\right) $


I wouldn't call this the "voltage gain in decibels." I'd rather say it's the decibel gain, calculated from the voltage gain.


Sometimes, you will see a voltage gain expressed in decibel according to this formula even when the input and output impedances are different. There is no technical justification for this --- it's simply a shorthand practice that's become common through usage.


No comments:

Post a Comment

arduino - Can I use TI's cc2541 BLE as micro controller to perform operations/ processing instead of ATmega328P AU to save cost?

I am using arduino pro mini (which contains Atmega328p AU ) along with cc2541(HM-10) to process and transfer data over BLE to smartphone. I...