E340 Lab 1: INTRODUCTION

Introduction

1) Introduction the concept of decibels (dB) in Electromagnetics.

Why do we use dB? We use decibels, or dB, to view numbers that vary over a large
range. Using a logarithmic, or dB, scale expands small numbers and compresses large
numbers so that we can view and more easily compare values over a wide dynamic range.
In this class it is easiest to consider dB units to be power ratios, that is some quantity of
power with respect to another.

2) Attenuation (dB).

Attenuation is the no. of dB down the power is at the output of the system when compared to
the input power.

𝑷𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑷𝒊𝒏
𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 (𝒅𝑩) = 𝑨 (𝒅𝑩) = −𝟏𝟎𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟏𝟎 ( ) = 𝟏𝟎𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟏𝟎 ( )
𝑷𝒊𝒏 𝑷𝒐𝒖𝒕

Be prepared to ask your laboratory teaching assistant any questions you have pertaining to
dB, we will use this form extensively during the semester – make sure you are
comfortable with it now!

3) Review complex numbers and phasors. Your laboratory teaching assistant will review
these concepts.

4) Matlab introduction. You will be working with Matlab code with the assistance of your
TA.

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Log scale

A logarithmic scale (or log scale) is a way of displaying numerical data over a very wide range of
values in a compact way. This is particularly helpful in Electromagnetics as power values need to be
displayed for frequencies ranging from a few Hz to GHz.

Some useful formulae for Log Scale:

Log 10 (2) = 0.301
Log 10 (3) = 0.477
Log 10 (5) = 0.698

In this course we will be dealing with Log to the base of 10 only.

Log (a) + Log (b) = Log ( a * b)

Log(a) - Log (b) = Log ( a / b)
Log (a)b = b * Log (a)
Log (1) = 0
Log (0) = Not Defined

Log a (a) = 1
Log e = ln (Natural Log)

dB, Attenuation and Gain

Using the Log scale, we can convert a number from linear scale to dB.

𝑷 (𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝐵) = 10𝑙𝑜𝑔10 (𝑝 𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡)

𝑷
1010 = 𝑝

Now, Consider the dissipation due to ohmic losses.

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For a passive device, Pout ≤ Pin. This is characterized by Attenuation, which is defined as
𝑷𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑷𝒊𝒏
𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 (𝒅𝑩) = 𝑨 (𝒅𝑩) = −𝟏𝟎𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟏𝟎 ( ) = 𝟏𝟎𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟏𝟎 ( )
𝑷𝒊𝒏 𝑷𝒐𝒖𝒕
𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 −𝐴(𝑑𝐵)
= 10 10
𝑃𝑖𝑛

For passive devices we have 0 ≤ A(dB) ≤ - . When A = 0 dB, the device is lossless. Remember,
the attenuation is the logarithm of a power ratio, it is therefore a unitless value. In other words,
the Attenuation(dB) is the number of dB down the output power is from the input signal. Note
the change from multiplicative properties in “natural units” to the additive properties in dB units.

Similarly, if Pout ≥ Pin. This is characterized by Gain which is defined as

Pout/Pin A(dB) Pout/Pin A(dB)

1 0 1/20

1/10 10 1/40
1/100 20 1/200

1/1000 30 1/2000

1/2 3 10-6

1/4 6 10-9

1/5 7 2

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Impedance mismatch losses also cause a reduction in signal level, this occurs when the
load is not equal to the characteristic impedance of the transmission line.

In microwave engineering we often express power quantities in a logarithmic scale.

Logarithmic power quantities are labeled with a subscript, dBm or sometimes in dBW to
signify power relative to milliWatts and Watts, respectively. These quantities are defined
as:
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑊
𝑃 (𝑑𝐵𝑚) = 10 log10 ( )
1𝑚𝑊

𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑊
𝑃 (𝑑𝐵𝑊) = 10 log10 ( )
1𝑊

The power quantities are referenced to known values, therefore the original quantity can be
recovered. In other words, dBm and dBW are not considered unitless.
𝑃(𝑑𝑏𝑚)
𝑃(𝑚𝑊) = 10 10

𝑃(𝑑𝑏𝑊)
𝑃(𝑊) = 10 10

Example: 1 W = 0 dBW = 30 dBm, as calculated below.

1 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡
𝑃 (𝑑𝐵𝑊) = 10 log10 ( ) = 0 𝑑𝐵𝑊
1 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡

1000 𝑚𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡
𝑃 (𝑑𝐵𝑚) = 10 log10 ( ) = 30 𝑑𝐵𝑚
1 𝑚𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡

Note that dBm and dBW Units are always 30 dB apart:

P(dBW ) = P(dBm ) - 30 dB

The signal level in a receiver can often be quite small. A level of - 90 dBm, corresponds to a
power of
90
𝑃 = 10−10 𝑚𝑊 = 1 𝑝𝑊

whereas a level of -120 dBm is 1 fW = 10-15 W.

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Complex Numbers and Phasors

I) Complex Numbers Review

y |z|
Cartesian: z = x + j.y 𝑗 = √−1
 x
Real Imaginary x

Polar:
𝑧 = |𝑧|𝑒 𝑗𝜃
𝑒 𝑗𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 + 𝑗 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 (Euler’s Formula)
𝑧 = |𝑧| cos 𝜃 + 𝑗|𝑧| sin 𝜃

Conversion:
𝑥 = |𝑧| 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
y = |z| sin 𝜃
𝑦
|𝑧| = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 𝜃 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧−𝟏 ( )
𝑥

Complex Conjugate of z:

𝑧 = 𝑥 + 𝑗𝑦 = 𝑥 − 𝑗𝑦 = |𝑧|𝑒 −𝑗𝜃
|𝑧|2 = 𝑧. 𝑧

Multiplication:

𝑧1 . 𝑧2 = |𝑧1 |. |𝑧2 |. 𝑒 𝑗(𝜃1+𝜃2)

Division (for z2≠0):

𝑧1 |𝑧 |
= |𝑧1| 𝑒 𝑗(𝜃1−𝜃2)
𝑧2 2

Powers:

𝑧 𝑛 = |𝑧|𝑛 . 𝑒 𝑗𝑛𝜃 = |𝑧|𝑛 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑛𝜃 + 𝑗 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑛𝜃)

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 II) Phasors Review

𝜋 𝜋
𝑉𝑠 (𝑡) = 𝑉0 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑤𝑡 + 𝜑0 ) = 𝑉0 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( − 𝑤𝑡 − 𝜑0 ) = 𝑉0 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (𝑤𝑡 + 𝜑0 − )
2 2

Where we have used the fact that the cosine is an even function

cos(−𝜃) = cos(𝜃)
We can express any time-varying function 𝑧(𝑡) in the form:

𝑧(𝑡) = 𝑅𝑒〈𝑍̂. 𝑒 𝑗𝑤𝑡 〉

Where 𝑍̂ is a time-independent function of 𝑧(𝑡), called the PHASOR.
For example:
𝜋
𝑉𝑠 (𝑡) = 𝑅𝑒 〈𝑉0 𝑒 𝑗(𝑤𝑡+𝜑0− 2 ) 〉
𝜋
= 𝑅𝑒 〈𝑉0 𝑒 𝑗𝑤𝑡 𝑒 𝑗(𝜑0− 2 ) 〉
𝜋
= 𝑅𝑒 〈𝑉0 𝑒 𝑗(𝜑0−2 ) . 𝑒 𝑗𝑤𝑡 〉
= 𝑅𝑒〈𝑉̂𝑠 . 𝑒 𝑗𝑤𝑡 〉

𝜋
̂𝑠 = 𝑉0 𝑒 𝑗(𝜑0 − ) ̂𝑠 is the phasor representation
Where 𝑉 2 is a time-independent function of 𝑉𝑠 (𝑡), thus 𝑉
of 𝑉𝑠 (𝑡).

Similar relationship holds fort he instantaneous and phasor for of current.

𝑖(𝑡) = 𝑅𝑒〈𝐼̂. 𝑒 𝑗𝑤𝑡 〉

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Write up

Your Lab 1 Report should contain only three sections, those being an introduction section, a results
section and an appendix section. In the introduction section, you should give three total paragraphs,
one addressing each of the following three topics.

1. Decibels
2. Attenuation/Gain
3. Complex Numbers

The results section of the report should contain the two tables with calculations and the two graphs
created by the Matlab code you wrote during the lab, and the Appendix will contain the MATLAB
code.

Remember that the report must follow all of the normal formatting requirements for
a laboratory report, which are mentioned in the Grading Metric folder of the course Canvas page.
Attaching graphs or other report materials to the end of the report, inserting them as separate printouts
in-between pages of your report is never allowed unless specifically stated otherwise. Please DO NOT
try to analyze the graphs of this lab 1.

Also, remember to fill out the partially empty table of attenuations located on the third page of
the lab procedure and attach it to the result section.

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