Electrical – How to calculate amplifier gain (in dB) using frequency

cutoff frequencyfilterfrequency response

I know how to calculate decibel gain using the ratio of power, or Vin/Vout.

However, is there a way to calculate the magnitude of the attenuation and phase angle when you’re given the cutoff frequency and another frequency?

Best Answer

No. Well, at least, not quite. The cutoff frequency only gives you pole behavior of your magnitude plot. I believe you're talking about the filter function where you basically perform a frequency sweep. However, depending on what the shape of the Bode plot, you can find a pattern from the magnitude plot. You haven't told us what filter this is nor its order so I am forced to give you an example.

If, for an example, you know that this amplifier circuit is a low pass filter, you can relate the frequency sweep and the cutoff frequency to the magnitude plot and phase plot.

Transfer function of the First Order Low Pass Filter:

\$ H(j\omega)=K\frac{1}{1+\frac{j\omega}{\omega_c}}\$

Magnitude Plot (and skipping some algebra):

\$M_{v-dB}=-10\log({1+\frac{\omega^2}{\omega_c^2}})\$

Lastly, the phase plot of the of the magnitude plot is:

\$\phi=-\tan^{-1}({\frac{\omega}{\omega_c}})\$

The attenuation can be determined by your typical \$V_{in}/V_{out}\$ equation in dB.

Hence,

\$K=(\frac{V_{in}}{V_{out}})_{dB}=10^{dB/20}\$.