# Why is transconductance called gm?

Status
Not open for further replies.

#### Elektroniko

##### Newbie level 1
A simple question, why is transconductance called gm? What does the g and the m stand for?

#### esp1

The symbol 'g' is used for Conductance.

The gm value is Idt/Vdt, also called the mutual conductance, so its notation is gm.

#### LvW

The symbol 'g' is used for Conductance.

The gm value is Idt/Vdt, also called the mutual conductance, so its notation is gm.

I suppose, Eric means: gm=dI/dV.

Because we have the dimension current/voltage=1/Ohm, this ratio gives a conductance g.
However, it is not a "classical" conductance that relates the current through a device and the voltage across THIS device.
Instead, it is a current through a certain node (collector, drain) related to a voltage at ANOTHER node (base, gate).
Therefore, it is a "mutual" conductance gm.

Status
Not open for further replies.

Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
13K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
11
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
5K