Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Telecommunications, Electronics): The total gain of a signal as it travels around a closed feedback loop within an amplifier or system. It is a measure of how much the output signal is amplified when a portion of it is fed back to the input.

Usage

• Noun:
  • The stability of the amplifier depends critically on its loop gain.
  • Engineers must calculate the loop gain to ensure the system does not become unstable.
  • A high loop gain can improve the accuracy of the system but risks causing oscillation.

Advanced Usage

• "To determine the loop gain": To calculate or measure this specific gain value.
  • We need to determine the loop gain of the circuit before finalizing the design.
• "Excess loop gain": Refers to the amount of loop gain beyond what is needed for stability, often traded for improved performance in other areas.
  • The design utilizes excess loop gain to minimize distortion.

Variants and Related Words

• Gain (n): The increase in signal power or amplitude.
• Feedback (n): The process of returning a portion of the output signal to the input.
• Open-loop gain (n): The gain of an amplifier without any feedback applied.

Synonyms

• Feedback gain: Often used interchangeably in technical contexts.

Related Phrases

• Loop gain margin: A measure of how close the loop gain is to causing instability.
  • The design has a sufficient loop gain margin.
• To go into oscillation: A state of instability caused by excessive loop gain, as referenced in the definition.
  • If the loop gain is too great, the amplifier will go into oscillation.

Noun

1. (telecommunication) the gain of a feedback amplifier or system as a function of how much output is fed back to the input
   • if the loop gain is too great the system may go into oscillation