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Decibel Power Conversion

#decibel#dBm#dBW#power#conversion#fundamental

Decibel Power Conversion

Decibels are used throughout RF engineering for expressing power ratios. dBm references 1 milliwatt, while dBW references 1 watt. These conversions are fundamental to all RF calculations.

PdBm=10log⁡10(PW0.001)=10log⁡10(PmW)P_{dBm} = 10\log_{10}\left(\frac{P_{W}}{0.001}\right) = 10\log_{10}(P_{mW})

Alternative Forms

dBW Conversion
PdBW=10log⁡10(PW)=PdBm−30P_{dBW} = 10\log_{10}(P_W) = P_{dBm} - 30
Convert to/from dBW (referenced to 1 watt)
Watts from dBm
PW=10(PdBm−30)/10P_W = 10^{(P_{dBm}-30)/10}
Convert dBm back to watts

Input Variables

W

Power in watts(Range: 1e-12 – 1000000 W)

Results

Power (dBm) (P_{dBm})
—
Power (dBW) (P_{dBW})
—

📖 Example: Common RF Power Levels

Convert 1 watt to dBm and dBW

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