On 9/28/2015 11:59 AM, Wayne wrote:


"Ian Jackson" wrote in message ...
In message , rickman writes



Definition of Return Loss

In technical terms, RL is the ratio of the light reflected back from
a device under test, Pout, to the light launched into that device,
Pin, usually expressed as a negative number in dB.

RL = 10 log10(Pout/Pin)

Here is a link for a table of return loss and VSWR....

http://www.jampro.com/uploads/tech_d.../VSWRChart.pdf

It shows a higher return loss (assuming you mean magnitude since the
values are all negative) for lower VSWR.


I'm surprised to see negative quantities. For 50 years, I've always
understood the Return Loss Ratio (RLR) to be exactly what it says on
the tin, ie the ratio (in dB) of the LOSS (the attenuation) of the
reflected signal wrt the incident signal. This is a +ve quantity.
Things are already sufficiently confusing without having to start
thinking in unnecessary -ve figures!

I think the table headings are using a dash, not a negative sign.
Return loss- dB

Look at the equation and you will understand. When the ratio is less
than one, the log is negative.

--

Rick