Converting of attenuation coecient (m1) to loss-gain (db km1)

Donald O. Besong March 2, 2011

Abstract No abstract . . .

Here we go
I = z I0

From the attenuation formula ln (1)

where z is distance into the medium and is the attenuation coecient. Hence per meter, we set z = 1m and divide both sides by z obtaining I 1 m I0 Therefore per kilometer the attenuation should be larger, that is = ln = ln I 3 10 km1 I0 (2)

(3)

That is is in km1 and its value is calculated by = ln II0 . Done with alpha per kilometer. Now let us see how this ts into the denition of loss gain which is in decibels. The denition of the decibel is loss or gain = 10 log10 1 I db I0 (4)

So we see that loss or gain has log10 while attenuation is in natural logarithm ln. Convert log10 to ln by the formula log10 log10 a = Therefore ln II0 loss or gain = 10 db (6) ln 10 in equation (6) by and its units from equation (3) with ln a ln 10 (5)

Substituting ln II0 its units, we have

ln II0 loss or gain = 10 db 103 () km1 ln 10 which can be rearranged to loss or gain =

(7)

ln II0 4 10 db km1 (8) ln 10 Leave the minus there. Removing the minus is a mistake. That is, with positive the attenuation formula will decay as seen in your plot, and therefore we have loss which should be negative as seen in equation (8). Vice-versa. If was negative, the minus in the attenuation formula in your book will cancel the minus and your graph would show a growth, while there would be gain in equation (8). Strictly speaking, the book should have included the minus sign.

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