Voltage from dBm Formula:
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The dBm to voltage conversion calculates the root mean square (RMS) voltage across a load resistance for a given power in dBm. This is useful in RF engineering, telecommunications, and audio engineering where power levels are often specified in dBm.
The calculator uses the following equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation first converts dBm to milliwatts, then to watts, and finally calculates the voltage across the specified load resistance.
Details: Knowing the voltage equivalent of a dBm power level is essential for designing and testing electronic circuits, especially in RF systems where impedance matching is critical.
Tips: Enter the power in dBm (can be positive or negative) and the load resistance in ohms. The resistance must be greater than zero.
Q1: What is dBm?
A: dBm is a power measurement relative to 1 milliwatt (0 dBm = 1 mW). It's a logarithmic unit used in RF and audio applications.
Q2: What's the difference between dBm and dB?
A: dB is a relative unit (ratio), while dBm is an absolute power level referenced to 1 mW.
Q3: What's a typical dBm range for RF signals?
A: Common RF signals range from about -120 dBm (very weak) to +30 dBm (1 watt). Cellular signals are typically -50 to -100 dBm.
Q4: Does this calculation work for AC and DC?
A: The calculation gives RMS voltage, which is valid for both DC and AC signals (assuming the dBm value represents the RMS power).
Q5: What if my load impedance is complex?
A: This calculator assumes purely resistive loads. For complex impedances, you would need to consider the real part of the impedance.