SEW Day 6 - dB

Answer 1

Describe decibels
Explain the benefits of decibels
Summarize decibels rules of thumb
Perform basic decibel conversions

Question 2

A decibel (dB)

Answer 2

• a logarithmic unit used to measure signals and communication
• Makes large and small numbers more manageable

Question 3

The dB is a logarithmic unit of ___ named for Alexander Graham Bell

Answer 3

The Bel is a logarithmic unit of intensity named for Alexander Graham Bell

Question 4

decibel = ____ of a Bel

Answer 4

one-tenth

Question 5

turns exponential changes into linear changes

Answer 5

Logarithmic Scaling

Question 6

• Linear scales increment by a constant: ___
• Logarithmic scales increase by a factor of the base: ___

Answer 6

• 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.
• 1, 10, 100, 1000, etc.

Question 7

• express a ratio relative to a reference value on a logarithmic scale
• are unitless ratios representing increases or decreases in values

Answer 7

Decibels (dB)

Question 8

dB Suffix: dBW or dBm
Reference Value:
Unit

Answer 8

1W and watts
1mW and milliwatt

Question 9

dB Rules of Tens

Answer 9

For every 10 dB increase, the signal strength (linear value) is multiplied by 10

For every 10 dB decrease, the signal strength (linear value) is divided by 10