分贝（decibel）
The Decibel is a subunit of a larger unit called the bel. As originally used, the bel represented the power ratio of 10
to 1 between the strength or intensity i.e., power, of two sounds, and was named after Alexander Graham Bell. Thus a
power ratio of 10:1 = 1 bel, 100:1 = 2 bels, and 1000:1 = 3 bels. It is readily seen that the concept of bels represents a
logarithmic relationship since the logarithm of 100 to the base 10 is 2 (corresponding to 2 bels), the logarithm of 1000 to
the base 10 is 3 (corresponding to 3 bels), etc. The exact relationship is given by the formula
B
e
l
s
=
l
o
g
(
P
2
/
P
2
)
(1)
Bels = log(P_2/P_2)\tag{1}
Bels=log(P2/P2)(1)
where
P
2
/
P
1
P_2/P_1
P2/P1 represents the power ratio.
Since the bel is a rather large unit, its use may prove inconvenient. Usually a smaller unit, the Decibel or dB, is used.
10 decibels make one bel. A 10:1 power ratio, 1 bel, is 10 dB; a 100:1 ratio, 2 bels, is 20 dB. Thus the formula becomes
D
e
c
i
b
e
l
s
(
d
B
)
=
10
l
o
g
10
(
P
2
/
P
1
)
(2)
Decibels(dB) = 10log_{10}(P_2/P_1)\tag{2}
Decibels(dB)=10log10(P2/P1)(2)
The power ratio need not be greater than unity as shown in the previous examples. In equations (1) and (2), P1 is
usually the reference power. If P2 is less than P1, the ratio is less then 1.0 and the resultant bels or decibels are negative.
For example, if P2 is one-tenth P1, we have
b
e
l
s
=
l
o
g
10
(
0.1
/
1
)
=
−
1.0
b
e
l
s
a
n
d
d
B
=
10
l
o
g
10
(
0.1
/
1
)
=
−
10
d
B
bels=log_{10}(0.1/1)=-1.0bels \quad and \quad dB=10log_{10}(0.1/1)=-10dB
bels=log10(0.1/1)=−1.0belsanddB=10log10(0.1/1)=−10dB
It should be clearly understood that the term decibel does not in itself indicate power, but rather is a ratio or
comparison between two power values. It is often desirable to express power levels in decibels by using a fixed power as
a reference. The most common references in the world of electronics are the milliwatt (mW) and the watt. The abbreviation
dBm indicates dB referenced to 1.0 milliwatt. One milliwatt is then zero dBm. Thus P1 in equations [1] or [2] becomes
1.0 mW. Similarly, The abbreviation dBW indicates dB referenced to 1.0 watt, with P2 being 1.0 watt, thus one watt in
dBW is zero dBW or 30 dBm or 60 dBµW. For antenna gain, the reference is the linearly polarized isotropic radiator,
dBLI. Usually the “L” and/or “I” is understood and left out.
dBc is the power of one signal referenced to a carrier signal, i.e. if a second harmonic signal at 10 GHz is 3 dB lower
than a fundamental signal at 5 GHz, then the signal at 10 GHz is -3 dBc.
the decibel，its use in electronics
The logarithmic characteristic of the dB makes it very convenient for expressing electrical power and power ratios.
Consider an amplifier with an output of 100 watts when the input is 0.1 watts (100 milliwatts); it has an amplification factor
of
P
2
/
P
1
=
100
/
0.1
=
1000
P_2/P_1=100/0.1=1000
P2/P1=100/0.1=1000 or a gian of
10
l
o
g
(
P
2
/
P
1
)
=
10
l
o
g
(
100
/
0.1
)
=
30
d
B
10 log(P_2/P_1) = 10 log(100/0.1) = 30 dB
10log(P2/P1)=10log(100/0.1)=30dB (notice the 3 in 30 dB corresponds to the number of zeros in the power ratio)
The ability of an antenna to intercept or transmit a signal is expressed in dB referenced to an isotropic antenna rather
than as a ratio. Instead of saying an antenna has an effective gain ratio of 7.5, it has a gain of 8.8 dB (10 log 7.5)
A ratio of less than 1.0 is a loss, a negative gain, or attenuation. For instance, if 10 watts of power is fed into a cable
but only 8.5 watts are measured at the output, the signal has been decreased by a factor of
8.5
/
10
=
.
85
8.5/10 = .85
8.5/10=.85 or
10
l
o
g
(
.
85
)
=
−
0.7
d
B
10 log(.85) = -0.7 dB
10log(.85)=−0.7dB
This piece of cable at the frequency of the measurement has a gain of -0.7 dB. This is generally referred to as a loss
or attenuation of 0.7 dB, where the terms “loss” and “attenuation” imply the negative sign. An attenuator which reduces
its input power by factor of 0.001 has an attenuation of 30 dB. The utility of the dB is very evident when speaking of signal
loss due to radiation through the atmosphere. It is much easier to work with a loss of 137 dB rather than the equivalent
factor of 2 x 10-14.
Instead of multiplying gain or loss factors as ratios we can add them as positive or negative dB. Suppose we have
a microwave system with a 10 watt transmitter, and a cable with 0.7 dB loss connected to a 13 dB gain transmit antenna.
The signal loss through the atmosphere is 137 dB to a receive antenna with a 11 dB gain connected by a cable with 1.4 dB
loss to a receiver. How much power is at the receiver? First, we must convert the 10 watts to milliwatts and then to dBm:
10
w
a
t
t
s
=
10000
m
i
l
l
i
w
a
t
t
s
10 watts = 10000milliwatts
10watts=10000milliwatts and
10
l
o
g
10
(
10000
/
1
)
=
40
d
B
m
10log_{10}(10000/1)=40dBm
10log10(10000/1)=40dBm. Then
40
d
B
m
−
0.7
d
B
+
13
d
B
−
137
d
B
+
11
d
B
−
1.4
d
B
=
−
75.1
d
B
m
40 dBm - 0.7 dB + 13 dB - 137 dB + 11 dB - 1.4 dB = -75.1 dBm
40dBm−0.7dB+13dB−137dB+11dB−1.4dB=−75.1dBm
-71.1 dBm may be converted back to milliwatts by solving the formula:
m
W
=
1
0
d
B
m
/
10
mW = 10^{dBm/10}
mW=10dBm/10
giving:
1
0
−
75.1
/
10
=
0.00000003
m
W
10^{-75.1/10} = 0.00000003 mW
10−75.1/10=0.00000003mW
Voltage and current ratios can also be expressed in terms of decibels, provided the resistance remains constant. First
we substitute for P in terms of either voltage, V, or current, I. Since P=VI and V=IR we have:
P
=
I
2
R
=
V
2
/
R
P = I^2R = V^2/R
P=I2R=V2/R
Thus for a voltage ratio we have:
d
B
=
10
l
o
g
[
(
V
2
2
/
R
)
/
(
V
1
2
/
R
)
]
=
10
l
o
g
(
V
2
2
/
V
1
2
)
=
10
l
o
g
(
V
2
/
V
1
)
2
=
20
l
o
g
(
V
2
/
V
1
)
dB = 10 log[(V_2^2/R)/(V_1^2/R)] = 10log(V_2^2/V_1^2) = 10 log(V2/V1)2 = 20 log(V2/V1)
dB=10log[(V22/R)/(V12/R)]=10log(V22/V12)=10log(V2/V1)2=20log(V2/V1)
Like power, voltage can be expressed relative to fixed units, so one volt is equal to 0 dBV or 120 dBµV.
Similarly for current ratio:
d
B
=
20
l
o
g
10
(
I
2
/
I
1
)
dB=20log_{10}(I_2/I_1)
dB=20log10(I2/I1)
Like power, amperage can be expressed relative to fixed units, so one amp is equal to 0 dBA or 120 dBµA.
Decibel Formulas(where Z is the general form of R, including inductance and capacitance)
When impedances are equal:
d
B
=
10
l
o
g
10
(
P
2
/
P
1
)
=
20
l
o
g
10
(
E
2
/
E
1
)
=
20
l
o
g
10
(
I
2
/
I
1
)
dB = 10log_{10}(P_2/P_1)=20log_{10}(E_2/E_1)=20log_{10}(I_2/I_1)
dB=10log10(P2/P1)=20log10(E2/E1)=20log10(I2/I1)
When impedances are unequal:
d
B
=
10
l
o
g
10
(
P
2
/
P
1
)
=
20
l
o
g
10
(
E
2
Z
1
/
E
1
Z
2
)
=
20
l
o
g
10
(
I
2
Z
2
/
I
1
Z
1
)
dB = 10log_{10}(P_2/P_1)=20log_{10}(E_2\sqrt{Z_1}/E_1\sqrt{Z_2})=20log_{10}(I_2\sqrt{Z_2}/I_1\sqrt{Z_1})
dB=10log10(P2/P1)=20log10(E2Z1/E1Z2)=20log10(I2Z2/I1Z1)
solutions without a calculator
Solution of radar and EW problems requires the determination of logarithms (base 10) to calculate some of the
formulae. Common “four function” calculators don’t usually have a log capability (or exponential or fourth root functions
either). Without a scientific calculator (or math tables or a Log-Log slide rule) it is difficult to calculate any of the radar
equations, simplified or “textbook”. The following gives some tips to calculate a close approximation without a calculator.
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