How do you calculate Cascaded Amplifier Gain?

Use the formula Av(total) = Av1 × Av2 × Av3. When amplifier stages are cascaded, their voltage gains multiply (their decibel gains add). Enter the values you know in the calculator above and it solves for the remaining variable.

What is the formula for Cascaded Amplifier Gain?

The Cascaded Amplifier Gain formula is Av(total) = Av1 × Av2 × Av3, where Av(total)—Overall voltage gain; Av1, Av2, Av3—Individual stage gains (set unused = 1).

What does Av(total) mean in the Cascaded Amplifier Gain formula?

Av(total) is Overall voltage gain.

Cascaded Amplifier Gain

Av = Av1 · Av2 · Av3

Calculator

Total Gain

Stage 1 Gain

Stage 2 Gain

Stage 3 Gain

Result

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Formula

Av(total) = Av1 × Av2 × Av3

Description

When amplifier stages are cascaded, their voltage gains multiply (their decibel gains add). This lets a large overall gain be built from modest, well-behaved stages, each loaded by the next stage’s input impedance. For unused stages set the gain to 1. The same rule extends to any number of stages.

Variables

Av(total) — Overall voltage gain
Av1, Av2, Av3 — Individual stage gains (set unused = 1)

Practical Notes

In decibels the gains add: 20 dB + 20 dB + 20 dB = 60 dB = ×1000. Remember each stage’s gain already includes the loading of the following stage’s input impedance.

Related Concepts

All Discrete Amplifiers formulas →

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