To see what this looks like, we need to know where we’re starting. I hope you’ve learned something from this article. Here, going 10 units up the scale increases the previous number by a factor of 10, not by 10 units. Let’s start with this simple math that you’ve learned in the middle school: Medical ultrasound uses units of intensity of milliwatts per centimeter 2. So, ultimately, the decibel is a relative gauge of different sound pressures. (sound intensity) is proportional to (the sounds pressure) 2. So we need to discuss logarithm before talking about dB. This, in turn, is related to the square of the pressure the sound wave physically exerts (in N/m 2 ). A sound that is 10 times more intense ( 110 -11 W/m 2) is assigned a sound. The threshold of hearing is assigned a sound level of 0 decibels (abbreviated 0 dB) this sound corresponds to an intensity of 110 -12 W/m 2. The lowest (quietest) sound on a decibel scale, which is considered near-complete silence, is 0 dB. decibel: A measurement scale used for the intensity of sounds that can be picked up by the human ear.
![decibel scale zero decibel scale zero](https://st3.depositphotos.com/6892184/16675/v/1600/depositphotos_166751900-stock-illustration-the-decibel-scale.jpg)
The scale for measuring intensity is the decibel scale. Its the level to which most decibel readings you read anywhere refer to. This type of scale is sometimes referred to as a logarithmic scale. This means that 0. Using decibels involves working with logarithms, and this is the very minimum math knowledge you should have. In simplified terms, 0 dB is the reference level. The zero of the decibel scale (0 dB) is the sound pressure of 0.00002 Pa. This brief tutorial will help you clarify the difference between working with decibels and working with linear values. The decibel (symbol: dB) is a unit of measurement used to express the ratio of one value of a physical property to another on a logarithmic scale, called the level.It can be used to express a change in value (e.g., +1 dB or 1 dB) or an absolute value.
![decibel scale zero decibel scale zero](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/KE4TMN/the-decibel-scale-sound-level-KE4TMN.jpg)
I saw a lot of young RF fellows who ignored the importance of understanding dB, eventually realized that they need to learn this simple term well if they want to go further in the RF field. In this post I’ll do the best to explain the basics in plain words and hopefully you’ll not have any more confusion after reading it.ĭealing with numbers for gain, voltage, and power that mix dB, dBm, dBc, dBW, dBmW, watts, milliwatts, volts, millivolts, etc., often requires converting back and forth between linear values and decibel values. Unfortunately, if you can’t thoroughly understand this important scale, then you will have tremendous difficulty to get your RF expedition moved on. Visit ABOUT to see what you can learn from this blog.’ĭB (Decibel) is the most important and often used scale in the RF field, but it’s also understandably difficult and confusing for someone just being introduced to it. ‘Note: This is an article written by an RF engineer who has worked in this field for over 40 years.