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10/19/2016

Decibels and Radars

Decibels and Radars

Converting dBW to dBm and Vice Versa


dBm measures power relative to 1 milliwatt, while dBW measures power relative to 1 watt.
So to convert between the two, you have these equations:

dBm=dBW+30
or

dBW=dBm30

Converting Radar Power in Watts to Decibels


dBW=10xlog10(PowerWatts)
dBW: Transmitter power output in decibels.
PowerWatts: Transmitter power output in watts.
EXAMPLE: What is the dBW of a 1 megawatt radar?

10xlog10(1,000,000)=60dB

Converting Radar Power in Decibels to Watts


PowerWatts=10(Decibels/10)
PowerWatts: Transmitter power output in watts.
Decibels: Transmitter power output in decibels.
EXAMPLE: What is the power in watts of a 100 dBw
radar?

10(100/10)=10,000,000,000watts.

Converting Radar Cross Section in Square Meters to Decibels


dBsm=10xlog10(RCS/1m2)
dBsm: Radar Cross Section of target in decibels.
RCS: Radar Cross Section of target in square meters.
EXAMPLE: What is the dBsm of a stealth ghter with a

http://www.alternatewars.com/BBOW/Radar/Decibels_Radars.htm

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10/19/2016

EXAMPLE: What is the dBsm of a stealth ghter with a


RCS of 0.01 m2?

Decibels and Radars

10xlog10(0.01/1m2)=20dBsm

Converting Radar Cross Section in Decibels to Square Meters


RCS=10(Decibels/10)
RCS: Radar Cross Section of target in square meters.
Decibels: Radar Cross Section of target in decibels.
EXAMPLE: What is the RCS in square meters of an
aircraft with a RCS of 5 dB?

10(5/10)=3.16m2

Converting Antenna Gain into Decibels Relative to Isotropic (dBi)


dBi=10xlog10(Gain/1)

http://www.alternatewars.com/BBOW/Radar/Decibels_Radars.htm

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