Appendix A Physical constants and RF Fundamentals

Some physical constants

(It is not necessary to remember the values of these physical constants as they would
be given if required in an examination)
Free space velocity of light
Boltzmann Constant
Permeability of free space
Permittivity of free space

c = 2.998 x 108 m/s

k = 1.38 x 10-23 J/K (joules per kelvin)
0 = 4 x 10-7 H/m (henrys per metre)
0 = 8.854 x 10-12 F/m (approximately 1/36 x 10-9 F/m)

Relationship between frequency and free-space wavelength

c = f
where:
c = free space velocity of light
f = frequency in hertz
= wavelength in metres
Relationship between frequency f and angular frequency
Angular frequency = 2f radians/sec
where f = frequency in hertz
Power ratios expressed in decibels
If the input power to a device such as an amplifier is Pin watts and the output power is
Pout watts, the power gain in linear units is Pout/Pin and power gain in
Decibels = 10 Log(Pout/Pin)
If a power gain in dB is negative, this indicates a loss. A gain of -10 dB can also be
expressed as a loss of +10 dB
To convert a power ratio PdB from decibels to linear units, calculate Antilog(PdB/10)
(note that Antilog key may be marked 10x on some calculators)
Absolute power units expressed in dBm or dBw
dBm means dB relative to a reference power level of 1 mW
Hence 0 dBm = 1 mW,

-30 dBm = 1 W

+30 dBm = 1 W

dBW means dB relative to a reference power level of 1 W

Hence 0 dBW = 1 W

-30 dBW = 1 mW

+30 dBW = 1 kW

Note that dBm is an absolute power unit so 0 dBm is the same power regardless of the
resistance of the measuring equipment.
Power can be expressed in dBm (or dBW) not only for electrical power but also for
other forms of energy, for example optical power.
Note that power gains or losses are power ratios, not absolute power units hence
gains or losses may be expressed in dB but not in dBm.
D.M.Lauder

2010 University Of Hertfordshire

Voltage ratios expressed in decibels

If the input power to a device such as an amplifier is Vin volts and the output power is
Vout volts, the voltage gain in linear units is Vout/Vin and voltage gain in
decibels = 20 Log (Vout/Vin)
N.B. this is derived from the definition of power ratio in dB and the two definitions are
equivalent provided V1 and V2 are both measured across the same resistance
To convert a voltage ratio VdB from decibels to linear units, calculate Antilog(VdB/20)
(note that Antilog key may be marked 10x on some calculators)
If a voltage in dB is negative, this indicates a loss. A gain of -10 dB can also be
expressed as a loss of +10 dB
Absolute voltage units expressed in dB(V)
dB(V) means dB relative to a reference level of 1 V
Hence 0 dB(V) = 1 V, 60 dB(V) = 1 mV and 120 dB(V) = 1 V
Note that as dB(V) an absolute voltage unit, 0 dB(V) is the same voltage regardless
of the resistance of the measuring equipment but in order to relate dB(V) to dBm, it is
necessary to specify the resistance of the measuring equipment.
In the case of 50 systems, 0 dBm = +107 dB(V) = 223 mV RMS
Absolute field strength expressed in dB(V/m)
dB(V/m) means an E field strength in dB relative to a reference level of 1 V/m

D.M.Lauder

2010 University Of Hertfordshire