BASIC DEFINITIONS

Radio signals travel through space at the Speed of Light

C = 3 * 108 meters / second
Frequency (F) is the number of waves per second (unit: Hertz)
Wavelength () (length of one wave) = (distance traveled in one second)
(waves in one second)
= C / F
If frequency is 900MHZ then
wavelength = 3 * 108
900 * 106
= 0.333 meters

BASIC DEFINITIONS
dB
dB is a a relative unit of measurement used to describe power gain or
loss.
The dB value is calculated by taking the log of the ratio of the measured
or calculated power (P2) with respect to a reference power (P1). This
result is then multiplied by 10 to obtain the value in dB.
dB = 10 * log10(P1/P2)

The powers P1 ad P2 must be in the same units. If the units are not
compatible, then they should be transformed.
Equal power corresponds to 0dB.
A factor of 2 corresponds to 3dB
If P1 = 30W and P2 = 15 W then
10 * log10(P1/P2) = 10 * 10 * log10(30/15)
=2

BASIC DEFINITIONS
dBm
The most common "defined reference" use of the decibel is the dBm, or
decibel relative to one milliwatt.
It is different from the dB because it uses the same specific, measurable
power level as a reference in all cases, whereas the dB is relative to
either whatever reference a particular user chooses or to no reference at
all.
A dB has no particular defined reference while a dBm is referenced to a
specific quantity: the milliwatt (1/1000 of a watt).
The IEEE definition of dBm is "a unit for expression of power level in
decibels with reference to a power of 1 milliwatt."
The dBm is merely an expression of power present in a circuit relative to
a known fixed amount (i.e., 1 milliwatt) and the circuit impedance is
irrelevant.}

BASIC DEFINITIONS
dBm

dBm = 10 log (P) (1000 mW/watt)

where dBm = Power in dB referenced to 1 milliwatt
P = Power in watts

If power level is 1 milliwatt:

Power(dBm) = 10 log (0.001 watt) (1000 mW/watt)
= 10 log (1)
= 10 (0)
=0

Thus a power level of 1 milliwatt is 0 dBm.

If the power level is 1 watt

1 watt Power in dBm = 10 log (1 watt) (1000 mW/watt)
= 10 (3)
= 30

BASIC DEFINITIONS
dBm

dBm = 10 log (P) (1000 mW/watt)

where dBm = Power in dB referenced to 1 milliwatt
P = Power in watts

If power level is 1 milliwatt:

Power(dBm) = 10 log (0.001 watt) (1000 mW/watt)
= 10 log (1)
= 10 (0)
=0

Thus a power level of 1 milliwatt is 0 dBm.

If the power level is 1 watt

1 watt Power in dBm = 10 log (1 watt) (1000 mW/watt)
= 10 (3)
= 30

BASIC DEFINITIONS
dBm

dBm = 10 log (P) (1000 mW/watt)

The dBm can also be negative value.

If power level is 1 microwatt

Power in dBm = 10 log (1 x 10E-6 watt) (1000 mW/watt)
= -30 dBm

Since the dBm has a defined reference it can be converted back to

watts if desired.
Since it is in logarithmic form it may also be conveniently combined
with other dB terms.