# Electronic Gain in Amplifiers

## Homework Statement

In a test a 20 μV signal was fed from the aerial into the first stage of the
several stages of the receiver to eventually appear at the input to the AM
detector. For the AM detector to work satisfactory it requires a minimum
signal level of –3dB(mW). Calculate the required minimum gain of the
fifth intermediate amplifier given the data in TABLE 1.

Fig 1 looks like the below

Ariel (20microV, 75ohms) > Amplifier > Mixer . Band Pass Filter > Intermetiate Amp 1 > Inter Amp 2 > Inter Amp 3 > Inter Amp 4 > Inter Amp 5 > AM Detector (needs -3dB (mW).

Table 1 is below

RF amp = +10dB
Mixer = -7dB
Band pass filter = -1dB
Intermediate amp = +15dB
IA2 = +15dB
IA3 = +20dB
IA4 = 10dB

## The Attempt at a Solution

Find input power level coming into the system:

P = V^2 / R = 0.00002^2 / 75 = 5.3333e-12W (or 5.3333e-9 mW)

Convert mW to dB(mW)

10 x Log (5.3333e-9) = -82.73 dB(mW)

So, the total system gain is the sum of all gains, so if we have -82.73 in, and want -3 out, then:

-3 = (-82.73) + 10 + (-7) + (-1) + 15 + 15 + 10 + IA5

-3 = -20.73 + IA5

IA5 = -3 + 20.73 = 17.73.

Therefore the gain at intermediate amplifier 5 is 17.73dB (or 18dB)

Is this going in the right direction? or correct?

Thanks

Last edited:

Fig 1 and Table 1

#### Attachments

• Fig 1.jpg
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Baluncore
2021 Award
Input signal is 20uV in 75 ohms. Convert to power, to mW then to dBm.
W = V^2 / R = 20e-6 * 20e-6 / 75 = 5.333e-12W = 5.333e-9 mW
dBm = 10 * Log( 5.333e-9 ) = -82.73 dBm
Code:
Description   Debit   Credit dB    Balance dBm
Input signal   –      -82.73 dBm   -82.73
RF amp         –       10 dB       -72.73
Mixer         7 dB      –          -79.73
BPF           1 dB      –          -80.73
IF Amp 1       –       15 dB       -65.73
IA2            –       15 dB       -50.73
IA3            –       20 dB       -30.73
IA4            –       10 dB       -20.73
Detector       –        3 dBm      -17.73
So; IF amp 5 will need gain a gain of +17.73 dB to balance the energy account.

You are correct.

Thankyou Baluncore.

I didnt think of using a spread sheet. Thanks for the tip...

Kr
Craig