Decibel ⇄ Linear in Cable-Systems - Academy of EMC

Version: 1.00.00.2020
Author: Reto Keller, Academy of EMC
Date: 2020-May-07

This converter calculates dB values from linear values and vice versa.
Assumptions: All values are root-mean-square (RMS) values, unless otherwise noted.

Physical quantity Unit

Voltage V [V]
Voltage level dBV, 20*log(V/1V) [dBV]
Voltage level dBuV, 20*log(V/1uV) [dBuV]
Current I [A]
Current level dBA, 20*log(I/1A) [dBA]
Current level dBuA, 20*log(I/1uA) [dBuA]
Power P [W]
Power level dBm, 20*log(P/1mW) [dBm]
Power level dBm, 20*log(P/1uW) [dBuW]

Input parameters Value Unit Remark

Reference impedance Z0 50.0 [Ohm] Calculations below are based on the Z0 you set here.

Known input values [V] [dBV] [dBuV] [A] [dBA] [dBuA] [W] [dBm] [dBuW]
0.1 [V] -20 100 0.002 -53.9794 66.0205999 0.0002 -6.9897 23.0103
-20 [dBV] 0.1 100 0.002 -53.9794 66.0205999 0.0002 -6.9897 23.0103
100 [dBuV] 0.1 -20 0.002 -53.9794 66.0205999 0.0002 -6.9897 23.0103
0.002 [A] 0.1 -20 100 -53.9794 66.0205999 0.0002 -6.9897 23.0103
-53.97940009 [dBA] 0.1 -20 100 0.002 66.0205999 0.0002 -6.9897 23.0103
66.02059991 [dBuA] 0.1 -20 100 0.002 -53.9794 0.0002 -6.9897 23.0103
0.0002 [W] 0.1 -20 100 0.002 -53.9794 66.0205999 -6.9897 23.0103
-6.989700043 [dBm] 0.1 -20 100 0.002 -53.9794 66.0205999 0.0002 23.0103
23.01029996 [dBuW] 0.1 -20 100 0.002 -53.9794 66.0205999 0.0002 -6.9897

References:
[1] Henry W. Ott, Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009, pp. 733-739

Disclaimer: Your use of this Academy of EMC Excel-Sheet indicates that you accept full responsibility for the results produced, and that you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Reto Keller,
Academy of EMC, and it assigns, for any damages that may result from its use.
Decibel ⇄ Linear in Free-Space - Academy of EMC

Version: 1.00.00.2020
Author: Reto Keller, Academy of EMC
Date: 2020-May-05

This field strength calculator converts different field strength units.

Assumption: medium = air.

Physical quantity Unit Physical constants Value Unit

Electric field strength E [V/m] Speed of light 299800000 [m/s]
E field level, 20*log(E/1uV/m) [dBuV/m] Permittivity of vacuum e0 8.854E-12 [F/m]
Magnetic field strength H [A/m] Permeability of vacuum m0 1.2566E-06 [H/m]
H field level, 20*log(H/1uA/m) [dBuA/m]
Magnetic flux density B [T]
Magnetic flux density B*10e9 [pT]
Magnetic flux level, 20*log(B/1pT) [dBpT]
Gauss [Gs]
Power density S [W/m2]
10*log(S) [dBW/m2]
Power level, 10*log(S/1mW) [dBm/m2]
Power density S per cm2 [mW/cm2]

Input parameters Value Unit Remark

Wave impedance ZW 376.7 [Ohm] Calculations below are based on the ZW = E/H you set here. Set ZW = 377[Ohm] for free-space (far-field).

Known input values [V/m] [dBuV/m] [A/m] [dBuA/m] [T] [mT] [pT] [dBpT] [Gs] [W/m2] [dBW/m2] [dBm/m2] [mW/cm2]
10 [V/m] 140 0.02654391 88.4792965 3.3356E-08 3.3356E-05 33356.0557 90.4634938 0.00033356 0.26543906 -5.7603517 24.2396483 0.02654391
140 [dBuV/m] 10 0.02654391 88.4792965 3.3356E-08 3.3356E-05 33356.0557 90.4634938 0.00033356 0.26543906 -5.7603517 24.2396483 0.02654391
0.02654 [A/m] 9.99852857 139.998722 88.4780184 3.3351E-08 3.3351E-05 33351.1476 90.4622157 0.00033351 0.26536095 -5.7616299 24.2383701 0.02653609
88.4793 [dBuA/m] 10.000004 140 0.02654392 3.3356E-08 3.3356E-05 33356.069 90.4634973 0.00033356 0.26543927 -5.7603483 24.2396517 0.02654393
### [T] 9.99998329 139.999985 0.02654386 88.479282 3.3356E-05 33356 90.4634793 0.00033356 0.26543817 -5.7603662 24.2396338 0.02654382
0.000033356 [mT] 9.99998329 139.999985 0.02654386 88.479282 3.3356E-08 33356 90.4634793 0.00033356 0.26543817 -5.7603662 24.2396338 0.02654382
33356 [pT] 9.99998329 139.999985 0.02654386 88.479282 3.3356E-08 3.3356E-05 90.4634793 0.00033356 0.26543817 -5.7603662 24.2396338 0.02654382
90.4635 [dBpT] 10.0000071 140.000006 0.02654392 88.4793027 3.3356E-08 3.3356E-05 33356.0795 0.00033356 0.26543944 -5.7603455 24.2396545 0.02654394
0.000334 [Gs] 10.0131743 140.011436 0.02657888 88.4907321 3.34E-08 3.34E-05 33400 90.4749293 0.26613891 -5.7489162 24.2510838 0.02661389
0.26544 [W/m2] 10.0000178 140.000015 0.02654395 88.479312 3.3356E-08 3.3356E-05 33356.1149 90.4635092 0.00033356 -5.7603363 24.2396637 0.026544
 -5.76035 [dBW/m2] 10.000002 140 0.02654391 88.4792983 3.3356E-08 3.3356E-05 33356.0624 90.4634955 0.00033356 0.26543916 24.23965 0.02654392
24.2396 [dBm/m2] 9.99994443 139.999952 0.02654376 88.4792483 3.3356E-08 3.3356E-05 33355.8704 90.4634455 0.00033356 0.26543611 -5.7604 0.02654361
0.026544 [mW/cm ] 2
10.0000178 140.000015 0.02654395 88.479312 3.3356E-08 3.3356E-05 33356.1149 90.4635092 0.00033356 0.26544 -5.7603363 24.2396637

References:
[1] J. L. Norman Violette, Donald R. J. White, Michael F. Violette, Electromagnetic Compatibility Handbook, Van Norstrand Reinhold Company, 1987, pp.26-29

Disclaimer: Your use of this Academy of EMC Excel-Sheet indicates that you accept full responsibility for the results produced, and that you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Reto Keller, Academy of EMC, and it assigns, for any damages that may
result from its use.
Near-Field | Far-Field - Academy of EMC

Version: 1.00.00.2020
Author: Reto Keller, Academy of EMC
Date: 2020-Jun-14

Ideal Electrical Hertzian Dipole vs. Real Antennas

For an ideal Hertzian Dipole (indefinitely small) the near-field to far-field boundary is defined as d=l/(2*p).
In practice, the boundary between near- and far-field depends on the wavelength l [m] and the maximum dimension D [m] of the antenna.
The areas around a transmitting antenna can be roughly categorized in three parts: reactive near-field, radiative near-field, far-field.

Electrically small antennas (D<l/2)

Electrically small antennas (D<l/2), have a reactive near-field, but no significant radiative near-field or far-field.

Electrically large antennas (D>l/2)

Electrically large antennas (D>l/2), have all three categories of fields: reactive near-field, radiative near-field, far-field.

Physical quantity Unit Physical constants Value Unit

Frequency f [Hz] Speed of light c 299800000 [m/s]
Wavelength l [m] Permittivity of vacuum e 0 8.854E-12 [F/m]
Permeability of vacuum m 0 1.256637E-06 [H/m]

Input parameters Value Unit Remark

Relative permittivity ereff 1 [1] ereff influences l. In case the antenna is a PCB-trace or cable, calculate ereff accordingly.
Relative permeability mreff 1 [1] mreff influences l . mreff is usually 1.
Maximum dimension D 1 [m] Maximum linear dimension D (aperture, length) of the antenna.
f where D= l/2 1.50E+08 [Hz] Frequency f at which the antenna with dimension D starts to be a good radiator.

D i sta n ce d fro m tran s m it tin g a n te n n a [m ]

Frequency [Hz]
Reactive Near-Field Boundary of Electrically Small Antenna (D<λ/2) Reactive Near-Field Boundary of Electrically Large Antenna (D>λ/2)
Radiative Near-Field Boundary of Electrically Large Antenna (D>λ/2) Frequency for which D=λ/2

Electrically small
Frequency and Wavelength Electrically large antennas (D>l/2)
antennas (D<l/2)

Reactive Near Field Reactive Near Field Radiative Near

f [Hz] l [m] l/2 [m]
Boundary [m] Boundary [m] Field Boundary [m]

1.00E+04 29980 14990 4771.46519389502 ### ###

1.00E+05 2998 1499 477.146519389502 0.0113233746092627 ###
1.00E+06 299.8 149.9 47.7146519389502 0.0358076545645892 0.0066711140760507
1.00E+07 29.98 14.99 4.77146519389502 0.113233746092627 0.066711140760507
1.00E+08 2.998 1.499 0.477146519389502 0.358076545645892 0.66711140760507
1.00E+09 0.2998 0.1499 0.04771465193895 1.13233746092627 6.6711140760507
1.00E+10 0.02998 0.01499 0.004771465193895 3.58076545645892 66.711140760507
1.00E+11 0.002998 0.001499 0.00047714651939 11.3233746092627 667.11140760507

References:
[1] Constantine A. Balanis, Antenna Theory Analysis and Design, John Wiley & Sons Inc., 3rd. Edition, 2005, pp. 34-36

Disclaimer: Your use of this Academy of EMC Excel-Sheet indicates that you accept full responsibility for the results produced, and that you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Reto Keller, Academy of EMC, and it assigns, for
any damages that may result from its use.
Impedance Matching Calculations (G, VSWR, RL) - Academy of EMC

Version: 1.00.00.2020
Author: Reto Keller, Academy of EMC
Date: 2020-Jul-31

Physical quantity Unit Remark

Source/system impedance Zsource / Z0 [W] Typical 50W
Load impedance Zload [W] E.g. impedance of the antenna
Reflection coefficient G, s11 [1] G = Vreflected/Vforward
Voltage standing wave ratio VSWR [1] VSWR = StandingWaveMax/StandingWaveMin
Return loss RL [dB] RL = 10*log10(Pforward/Preflected)
Power Transfer PT % Power dissipated in load in %. PT = 100%/P100%Matched*Punmatched. Power reflectec by load = (G 2)*Psource
Power reflected PR % Power reflected by load in %. PR = 100% - Ptransferred. Power transferred to load = Psource*(1̶ G 2)

Degree of Zload [Ω] Power Power

|Г| [1] |Г| [dB] |VSWR|:1 [1] RL [dB]
Matching Transfer [%] Reflection [%]

Perfectly
matched
𝑍_load=𝑍_0 0 -∞ 1:1 ∞ 100 0

𝑍_load=0.7∙𝑍_0
Good matching < 0.2 < -14 [dB] < 1.5:1 > 14 [dB] > 96 <4
𝑍_load=1.4∙𝑍_0
𝑍_load=0.5…0.7∙𝑍_0
Poor matching 0.2...0.3 -14…-10 [dB] 1.5:1...2:1 10…14 [dB] 89…94 4...11
𝑍_load=1.4…1.9∙𝑍_0
𝑍_load<0.5∙𝑍_0
Unmatched > 0.3 -10…0 [dB] > 2:1 0…10 [dB] < 89 > 11
𝑍_load>1.9∙𝑍_0

Total 𝑍_load=0
reflection
1 0 ∞ 0 0 100
𝑍_load=∞

Input parameters Value Unit Remark

System impedance Z0 50 [Ohm] System impedance Z0 or source impedance Zsource . This sheet only calculates with real parts (no imaginary part)

Zload [Ω] Power Power

Known input values Unit |Г| [1] |Г| [dB] |VSWR|:1 [1] RL [dB]
Transfer [%] Reflection [%]
Load impedance Zload 70.0 [W] 0.16666666666667 -15.563025007673 1.4 15.5630250076729 97.2222222222222 2.77777777777777
Reflection coefficient G, s11 0.01 [1] 51.010101010101 1.02020202020202 40.0000000000001 99.99 0.00999999999999
51 0.00990099009901 ### 40.0864274756529 99.9901970395059 0.00980296049407
Voltage standing wave ratio |VSWR| 1.02 [1]
49.0196078431373 0.00990099009901 ### 40.0864274756528 99.9901970395059 0.00980296049408
61.1111111111111 0.1 -20 1.22222222222222 99 1.00000000000001
Return loss RL 20 [dB]
40.9090909090909 0.1 -20 1.22222222222222 99 0.99999999999999

References:
[1] Reference Data for Engineers, Newens, 9th Edition, 2002, pages: 12-25, 29-8, 31-2

Disclaimer: Your use of this Academy of EMC Excel-Sheet indicates that you accept full responsibility for the results produced, and that you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Reto Keller, Academy of EMC, and it assigns, for any damages that may result from its use.
Wavelength vs. Frequency Calculator - Academy of EMC

Version: 1.00.00.2020
Author: Reto Keller, Academy of EMC
Date: 2020-July-31

Wavelength λ [m] of a sinusoidal signal is given by its frequency f [Hz] and the velocity of the electromagnetic wave v [m/sec]: λ=v/f.
Velocity v [m/sec] is given by the permittivity e =e0*er and the permeability m =m0*mr of the media(s) througth with the electromagnetic wave travels: v=1/√(e0*er*m0*mr)=c/√(er*mr)

Physical constants Value Unit

Speed of light c 299795637.693 [m/s]
Permittivity of vacuum e0 8.854E-12 [F/m]
Permeability of vacuum m0 1.2566371E-06 [H/m]

Input parameters Value Unit Remark

Relative permittivity ereff 1 [1] Relative (effective) permittivity of media through with electromagnetic field travels. Set ereff=1 for air.
Relative permeability mreff 1 [1] Relative (effective) permeability of media through with electromagnetic field travels. Set mreff=1 for air.
Velocity v ### [m/sec] Velocity of the sinusoidal signal with frequency f and wavelangth l.

Wavelength l [m] vs. Frequency f [Hz]

Calculation of the wavelength l for frequency f and vice versa of an electromagnetic wave in a media with ereff and mreff.
Known input values Value Unit f [Hz] l [m] l/2 [m] Remark
Frequency f 1.00E+09 [Hz] ### ### Frequency of the sinusoidal signal. Set er and mr of the media above.
Wavelength l 0.299 [m] 1.00E+09 Wavelength of the sinusoidal signal. Set er and mr of the media above.

References:
[1] Clayton R. Paul. Introduction to Electromagnetic Compatibility. John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2nd Edition, 2008, pp. 185-186

Disclaimer: Your use of this Academy of EMC Excel-Sheet indicates that you accept full responsibility for the results produced, and that you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Reto Keller, Academy of EMC, and it assigns, for any damages that may result from its use.
Dielectric Constants er of common insulation material - Academy of EMC

Version: 1.00.00.2020
Author: Reto Keller, Academy of EMC
Date: 2020-July-31

Dielectric Constant εr = Permittivity εr [1]

Material
60Hz 1kHz 1MHz 100MHz 3GHz
Polycarbonate (PC) - 3.17 3.02 2.96 -
Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) 2.72 2.63 2.42 2.32 2.29
Polyethylene (PE) 2.26 2.26 2.26 2.26 2.26
Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) 3.16 3.12 2.98 - -
Polyethylmethacrylate (PEMA) - 2.75 2.55 2.52 2.51
Polyhexamethylene-adipamid (nylon) 3.7 3.5 3.14 3 2.84
Polyimide (PI) - 3.5 3.4 - -
Polyisobutylene (PIB) 2.23 2.23 2.23 2.23 2.23
Polymer 95% vinyl-chloride (PVC), 5% vinyl-acetate - 3.15 2.9 2.8 2.74
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) 3.45 3.12 2.76 - 2.6
Polyphenylene oxide (PPE) 2.55 2.55 2.55 - 2.55
Polypropylene (PP) 2.25 2.25 2.55 - -
Polystyrene (PS) 2.56 2.56 2.56 2.55 2.55
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, teflon) 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1
Polyvinylcyclohexane (PVCH) - 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.25
Polyvinyl formal (PVF) 3.2 3.12 2.92 2.8 2.76
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) 8.4 8 6.6 - -
Urea-formaldehyde, cellulose 6.6 6.2 5.65 5.1 4.57
Urethane elastomer (PUR) 6,7-7,5 6,7-7,5 6,5-7,1 - -
Vinylidene-vinyl chloride copolymer (PVDC) 5 4.65 3.18 2.82 2.71
100% aniline-formaldehyde (Dilecteue-100) 3.7 3.68 3.58 3.5 3.44
100% phenol-formaldehyde 8.6 7.15 5.4 4.4 3.64
100% polyvinyl-chloride (PVC) 3.2 3.1 2.88 2.85 2.84

References:
[1] Reference Data for Engineers, Newens, 9th Edition, 2002, pages: 4-40 to 4-23

Disclaimer: Your use of this Academy of EMC Excel-Sheet indicates that you accept full responsibility for the results produced, and that you agree to indemnify and hold harmless
Reto Keller, Academy of EMC, and it assigns, for any damages that may result from its use.
y εr [1]

25GHz
-
2.28
2.26
-
2.5
2.73
-
-
-
-
-
-
2.54
2.08
-
2.7
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

to indemnify and hold harmless

Effective Dielectric Constant e reff Calculator - Academy of EMC

Version: 1.00.00.2020
Author: Reto Keller, Academy of EMC
Date: 2020-July-31

The effective dielectric constant ereff is defined as the uniform equivalent dielectric constant for a transmission, even in presence of different dielectrica (e.g. air, FR-4).
The effective dielectric constant for coaxial cables, waveguides and embedded striplines is equeal the dielectric constant of the dielectric bulk material.
The formulas used here are only approximations and effects of e.g. trace thickness, solder-mask coverage etc. are ignored. Relative permeability m r is assumed to be 1.

Microstrip line

Input parameters Value Unit Remark

Relative permittivity e r 4.2 [1] Dielectric constant / relative permittivity of the PCB material (substrate).
Trace width w 0.2 [mm] Trace witdth of the trace at the very outside layer (top, bottom) of a PCB. Use the same unit for w as for h.
Height of trace to plane h 0.4 [mm] Distance between ground/supply reference plane and the trace. Use the same unit for h as for w.
Calculated ereff Value Unit Remark
Effective permittivity ereff 2.936 [1] Effective dielectric constant. Accurace within 1% for er≤16, 0.05≤w/h≤20 (<2% error for w/h<0.05) [1].

Coplanar waveguide with reference plane

Input parameters Value Unit Remark

Relative permittivity er 4.2 [1] Dielectric constant / relative permittivity of the PCB material (substrate).
Trace width w 0.2 [mm] Trace witdth of the trace at the very outside layer (top, bottom) of a PCB.
Space s 0.5 [mm] Space to the adjusted ground plane on the same layer like the trace.
Height of trace to plane h 0.1 [mm] Distance between ground/supply reference plane and the trace.
Calculated ereff Value Unit Remark
Effective permittivity ereff ### [1] Effective dielectric constant of coplanar stripline with reference plane [1]. To avoid microstrip mode, chose (s+w+s)>>h [2].

Stripline

Input parameters Value Unit Remark

Relative permittivity er 4.2 [1] Dielectric constant / relative permittivity of the PCB material (substrate).
Calculated ereff Value Unit Remark
Effective permittivity ereff 4.2 [1] Effective dielectric constant of a stripline (traced, sandwiched between two reference planes) is equal er of the substrate [1].

Parallel wires / Ribbon cable

Input parameters Value Unit Remark

Relative permittivity er1 3 [1] Dielectric constant / relative permittivity of the wire insulation.
Relative permittivity er2 1 [1] Dielectric constant / relative permittivity of the surrounding of the twisted pair. In case of air (e.g. for ribbon cable), set er2 = 1.
Calculated ereff Value Unit Remark
Effective permittivity ereff 1.5 [1] The effective dielectric constant of a stripline (traced, sandwiched between two reference planes) is equal er of the substrate.

Twisted pair / Twisted pair cable

Input parameters Value Unit Remark

Relative permittivity er1 2.26 [1] Dielectric constant / relative permittivity of the wire insulation.
Relative permittivity er2 3 [1] Dielectric constant / relative permittivity of the surrounding of the twisted pair. In case of air, set er2 = 1.
Diameter of wire D 0.002 [m] Diameter of a single wire of the twisted pair. Use the same unit for the diameter D as for twists T per unit length.
Twists T per [m] 300 [1] Twists per meter [m]. If you set the number of twists not per [m] but e.g. per [cm], you have to use [cm] as unit for diameter D.
Calculated ereff Value Unit Remark
Effective permittivity ereff ### [1] The effective dielectric constant of a stripline (traced, sandwiched between two reference planes) is equal er of the substrate.

References:
[1] Brian C. Wadell, Transmission line design handbook, Artech House Inc., 1991, pp.93-94
[2] M.Riaziat, I.J.Feng, R.Majidi-Ahy and B.A.Auld, Single-mode operation of coplanar waveguides, Electronic Letters, Vol. 23, No. 24, 19.Nov.1987, pp.1281-1283
[3] Peter Lefferson, Twisted Magnet Wire Transmission Line, IEEE Transactoins on parts, hybrids, and packaging, Vol. PHP-7, No. 4, 1971 pp. 148-154

Disclaimer: Your use of this Academy of EMC Excel-Sheet indicates that you accept full responsibility for the results produced, and that you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Reto Keller, Academy of EMC, and it assigns, for any damages that may result from its use.
Electromagnetic Radiation and Field Strength for EMC Immunity Testing - Academy of EMC

Version: 1.00.00.2020 Physical constants Value Unit

Author: Reto Keller, Academy of EMC Speed of light c 299800000 [m/s]
Date: 2020-May-05 Permittivity of vacuum e 0 8.854E-12 [F/m]
Permeability of vacuum m 0 1.256637E-06 [H/m]

Assumptions: Medium = air. Distance d = in the far-field

Physical quantity Unit

Frequency f [Hz]
Wavelength l [m]
Relative permittivity er [1]
Relative permeability mr [1]
EIRP [mW], [dBm]
ERP [mW], [dBm]
Antenna gain transmitter Gt [dBi]
Antenna gain receiver Gr [dBi]

Wavelength l [m] vs. Frequency f [Hz]

Calculation of the wavelength l for a given frequency f and ivce versa of an electromagnetic wave in a media with er and mr.
Input parameters Value Unit Remark
Relative permittivity er 1 [1] Wavelength depends on relative permittivity er (set 1 for air)
Relative permeability mr 1 [1] Wavelength depends on relative permeability mr (set 1 for air)
Known input values f [Hz] l [m] Remark
Frequency f 1000e6 f [Hz] 0.2998 Set er and mr above
Wavelength l 0.141 [m] ### Set er and mr above

Radiated Power Calculator

EIRP [mW] EIRP [dBm] ERP [mW] ERP [dBm] [dBuV/m] @ 3 [dBuV/m] @ 10m
More will follow

Disclaimer: Your use of this Academy of EMC Excel-Sheet indicates that you accept full responsibility for the results
produced, and that you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Reto Keller, Academy of EMC, and it assigns, for any
damages that may result from its use.

P transmitter

d [m] E
0.001 7.7459666924
0.01
0.1
1
10
100
1000