Measuring Insertion Loss

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porous

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2006
Messages
18
Location
Los Angeles
What is the best way to measure insertion loss of a passive device? Simply put in a 1k tone and measure the output? Or use broadband pink noise. I'm trying to find out the IL so I can accurately gain match it for listening IN versus OUT tests.

thanks in advance, p.
 
"Best way" depends on whether you care about insertion loss across the whole band or only at one frequency.

If the device under test is purely resistive, then the insertion loss at 1K is the same as 20Hz, 20kHz, whatever--until you get high enough that parasitic capacitance becomes a factor. If the device is reactive, or the parasitics involved are substantial, then you need to test it across the whole band to get the picture.

The use of known source and load impedances is important in such tests. This is a very important factor that many overlook.
 

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