Definition

dBm: a term expressing an electrical power level, referenced to 1 mill watt

(i.e., 0 dBm = 1 mW).

dBu: a means of expressing voltage referenced so that 0 dBu equals 0.775 volts,
regardless of impedance. One mW of power is dissipated if 0.775 volts is applied to a
600-ohm load, so when the load impedance is 600 ohms, 0 dBu = 0 dBm
dBV: a means of expressing voltage, referenced so that 0 dBV equals 1-volt RMS,
regardless of impedance.

Conversion formulas
U
Voltage U ( dBv ) = 20 log10 ( )
U0

With:
• U0=1V

• U in volt

P
Power P( dBm) = 10 log10 ( )
P0

With:

• P0=0.001W

• P in watt

U²
Power-Voltage conversion P=
Zc

With:

• U: voltage in volt

• Zc: Impedance of the interface

• P: power in Watt
So,

P ( dBm)
U²
P(dBm) = 10 log10 ( )←
⎯→U = PO Z C ×10 20
PoZc