Lame question about power of a signal that consists of impulses

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The discussion addresses the calculation of power in signals composed solely of impulses. It clarifies that while the power of a sinusoidal waveform can be derived from its amplitude, determining the power of a pulsed waveform requires knowledge of the load resistance and the current drawn. To find the average power, one must analyze small segments of the waveform and apply the formula E^2/R, averaging the results, including zero values. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the waveform's characteristics for accurate power calculations. Overall, the method for calculating power in impulse-based signals is confirmed as valid with the right parameters.
alexei_kom
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Hello everybody.

I'm appologizing for a lame question, but taking for example A*cos(w*t) (whose spectrum is two impulses each of 0.5A in magnitude)-his power is 0.5A^2.
It can be interpreted as a sum of squared magnitudes of its impulses.

So, if I have a signal which consists of impulses only can I calculate his power as a sum of squared magnitudes of its impulses?

Thanks,
Alexei.
 
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alexei_kom said:
Hello everybody.

I'm appologizing for a lame question, but taking for example A*cos(w*t) (whose spectrum is two impulses each of 0.5A in magnitude)-his power is 0.5A^2.
It can be interpreted as a sum of squared magnitudes of its impulses.

So, if I have a signal which consists of impulses only can I calculate his power as a sum of squared magnitudes of its impulses?

Thanks,
Alexei.

A waveform A*cos(w*t) is just a sinewave with a peak amplitude of A and a frequency of w/2pi. So, it has a single frequency as its spectrum.
You can't say anything about the power unless you know the current being drawn or the resistance the voltage was being applied across.

Yes, you can work out the total power of a pulsed waveform by taking small slices of the waveform and, knowing the resistance of the load, applying E^2/ R to each one. You have to then take a mean value of all the measurements, including any zero values, to get the average power.
 
vk6kro said:
A waveform A*cos(w*t) is just a sinewave with a peak amplitude of A and a frequency of w/2pi. So, it has a single frequency as its spectrum.
You can't say anything about the power unless you know the current being drawn or the resistance the voltage was being applied across.

Yes, you can work out the total power of a pulsed waveform by taking small slices of the waveform and, knowing the resistance of the load, applying E^2/ R to each one. You have to then take a mean value of all the measurements, including any zero values, to get the average power.

Thank you!
 
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