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Amplifier Gain Formula:
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Amplifier gain is the ratio of output voltage to input voltage, representing how much an amplifier increases the amplitude of a signal. It is a fundamental parameter in electronics that determines the amplification capability of a circuit.
The calculator uses the amplifier gain formula:
Where:
Explanation: The gain represents how many times the input signal is amplified. A gain greater than 1 indicates amplification, while a gain less than 1 indicates attenuation.
Details: Accurate gain calculation is essential for designing audio systems, radio frequency circuits, instrumentation amplifiers, and ensuring proper signal levels throughout electronic systems.
Tips: Enter output voltage and input voltage in volts. Both values must be positive and non-zero. The calculator will compute the gain ratio.
Q1: What is the difference between voltage gain and power gain?
A: Voltage gain measures the ratio of output voltage to input voltage, while power gain measures the ratio of output power to input power, considering both voltage and current.
Q2: What are typical gain values for common amplifiers?
A: Operational amplifiers typically have very high open-loop gains (10^5 to 10^6), while audio amplifiers might have gains from 10 to 100, and RF amplifiers can vary widely depending on application.
Q3: How is gain expressed in decibels (dB)?
A: Gain in dB = 20 × log10(voltage gain). This logarithmic scale is often used because it better represents human perception of sound and signal strength.
Q4: What factors affect amplifier gain?
A: Gain depends on circuit design, component values (resistors in feedback networks), transistor characteristics, operating frequency, and temperature.
Q5: Can gain be less than 1?
A: Yes, when the output voltage is smaller than the input voltage, the gain is less than 1, indicating signal attenuation rather than amplification.