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# On logarithmic ratio quantities and their units

Mills, Ian and Morfey, Christopher (2005) On logarithmic ratio quantities and their units. Metrologia, 42 (4), 246-52.

Record type: Article

## Abstract

The use of special units for logarithmic ratio quantities is reviewed. The neper is used with a natural logarithm (logarithm to the base e) to express the logarithm of the amplitude ratio of two pure sinusoidal signals, particularly in the context of linear systems where it is desired to represent the gain or loss in amplitude of a single-frequency signal between the input and output. The bel, and its more commonly used submultiple, the decibel, are used with a decadic logarithm (logarithm to the base 10) to measure the ratio of two power-like quantities, such as a mean square signal or a mean square sound pressure in acoustics. Thus two distinctly different quantities are involved. In this review we define the quantities first, without reference to the units, as is standard practice in any system of quantities and units. We show that two different definitions of the quantity power level, or logarithmic power ratio, are possible. We show that this leads to two different interpretations for the meaning and numerical values of the units bel and decibel. We review the question of which of these alternative definitions is actually used, or is used by implication, by workers in the field. Finally, we discuss the relative advantages of the alternative definitions.

Full text not available from this repository.

Published date: 2005

## Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 28440
URI: https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/28440
ISSN: 0026-1394

## Catalogue record

Date deposited: 28 Apr 2006

## Contributors

Author: Ian Mills
Author: Christopher Morfey