Is 10Vpp Equivalent to 20dB in Signal Conversion?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Ashley1nOnly
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the conversion of voltage levels in decibels (dB) and the relationship between voltage peak-to-peak (Vpp) and decibel measurements, specifically questioning whether 10Vpp is equivalent to 20dB in the context of a function generator setup.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to confirm that setting a function generator to 20dB would result in an output of 10Vpp.
  • Another participant clarifies the distinction between dBm and dBV, noting that dBm relates to power and dBV relates to voltage.
  • Further contributions emphasize that dBm is for absolute power and provide a reference to a conversion table for clarity.
  • A participant expresses frustration over the lack of clarity regarding whether the measurement is in dBm or dBV.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement regarding the appropriate context for the decibel measurement, with some asserting the definitions of dBm and dBV while others question the application in this scenario. No consensus is reached on whether 10Vpp corresponds to 20dB.

Contextual Notes

There is ambiguity regarding the specific reference levels for the decibel measurements being discussed, as well as the implications of using different types of decibel references (dBm vs dBV) in the context of the function generator settings.

Ashley1nOnly
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I just wanted to verify that it would convert to 10Vpp
 
Last edited:
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Ashley1nOnly said:
So I am using multisim function generator and I needed to set it with a square wave at 100kHz, using the function generator with its attenuator set to 20dB. Since I didn't have the attenuator button I would need to set the amplitude to 10 right.

I just wanted to verify that it would convert to 10Vpp
dBm or dBV?

Quiz Question -- Why does it matter?
 
dBm is related to power and dBV is related to volts
 
Last edited:
dBm is for absolute power and dBV is for volts
 
Ashley1nOnly said:
set to 20dB.
That is not helpful. Hopefully you know wny now. Which is it?
 

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