7.10  crest factor. Ten times the logarithm to the base ten of the square of the wideband peak amplitude of a signal to the time-mean-square amplitude over a stated time period. Abbreviation, CF; unit, decibel (dB).

Annotation 1      The amplitude of an electrical signal is usually specified in volts; the amplitude of an acoustical signal is usually specified in instantaneous sound pressure. When the peak amplitude and the time-mean-square amplitude of an acoustical signal are expressed in sound levels, crest factor is the difference between the two, in decibels.

Annotation 2      Crest factor may alternatively be specified directly as a fraction or ratio, not in decibels.

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