And why do you consider dB obsolete? It is a convenient, logarithmic way to refer to attenuation or gain values. It thus allows simple addition of values to calculate the gain or attenuation of amplifiers or attenuators in series. Unlike the other terms you mention then is no alternate substitute for dB.dB should be relegated to the trashcan, along with Furlongs, Fathoms and Fahrenheit.
And feet and inches should follow shortly afterward, when people get used to the idea that we are in a new millenium now...
Strictly speaking dB always refers to power ratios. Thus you don't have to worry about whether it was originally calculated from voltage or power, they are equivalent.
So if you want the power ratio to be expressed in power dB you use 10 log(power ratio). If you want to express the power ratio in voltage, you use 20 log(voltage ratio) since the power is proportional to volts squared and multiplying the log of a number by 2 is the same as squaring the number. But both numbers are equivalent and signify a ratio of power.
Strictly speaking dB always refers to power ratios. Thus you don't have to worry about whether it was originally calculated from voltage or power, they are equivalent.
Now I'm confused.
I don't want to muck up this thread too much, but if one calculates the voltage gain, say, of an amplifier, in dB, how is that a power ratio?
And I thought dBs could be used to express any ratio that lends itself to logarithmicity (to coin an unwieldy word).
Anyhow, it's the power thing that's throwing me now.
The dB refers to power ratios but common practice is to use it also for voltage gain. It equals the power gain if the input and output impedances are equal, such as for an RF amp. dBs are also used for other measurements such as acoustic intensity, but again it refers to the power level of the sound.Now I'm confused.
I don't want to muck up this thread too much, but if one calculates the voltage gain, say, of an amplifier, in dB, how is that a power ratio?
And I thought dBs could be used to express any ratio that lends itself to logarithmicity (to coin an unwieldy word).
Anyhow, it's the power thing that's throwing me now.
carbonzit said:"....are you serious (about getting rid of dBs)? (I might ask the same question of the poster above with the "abolish" sig.)
-You just answered yourself.
I will try to remember to refer you only to references that meet your high standards from here on.OK, let me see if I've got this right (and forget about Wikipedia, the "encyclopedia" that any pimple-faced junior-high-school student or crank can edit and make like they're an "expert"):....
I will try to remember to refer you only to references that meet your high standards from here on.
And why do you consider dB obsolete? It is a convenient, logarithmic way to refer to attenuation or gain values. It thus allows simple addition of values to calculate the gain or attenuation of amplifiers or attenuators in series. Unlike the other terms you mention then is no alternate substitute for dB.
...
Carbonzit said:... Regarding those other values you seem to think have no value (heh), I certainly don't want to start a long flame war (well, at least not here, but perhaps we could take it to a more appropriate forum?), but I happen to very much like our non-MKS units for everyday usage (foot, inch, pint, gallon, mile, etc.), and I can confidently tell you that we ('Merkins) are probably never going to move away from them. That was tried, and failed miserably, in the 1970s. Thanks, but no thanks. ...
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