FIELD INTENSITY and POWER DENSITY

Sometimes it is necessary to know the actual field intensity or power density at a given distance from a transmitter
instead of the signal strength received by an antenna. Field intensity or power density calculations are necessary when
estimating electromagnetic interference (EMI) effects, when determining potential radiation hazards (personnel safety), or
in determining or verifying specifications.
Field intensity (field strength) is a general term that usually means the magnitude of the electric field vector,
commonly expressed in volts per meter. At frequencies above 100 MHZ, and particularly above one GHz, power density
(PD) terminology is more often used than field strength.
Power density and field intensity are related by equation [1]:
PD '

E2
E2
E2
'
'
Z0
120B
377

[1]

where PD is in W/m2, E is the RMS value of the field in volts/meter and 377 ohms is the characteristic impedance of free
space. When the units of PD are in mW/cm2, then PD (mW/cm2) = E2/3770.
Conversions between field strength and power density when the impedance is 377 ohms, can be obtained from
Table 1. It should be noted that to convert dBm/m2 to dBFV/m add 115.76 dB. Sample calculations for both field intensity
and power density in the far field of a transmitting antenna are in Section 4-2 and Section 4-8. Refer to chapter 3 on
antennas for the definitions of near field and far field.
Note that the / term before m, m2, and cm2 in Table 1 mean per, i.e. dBm per m2, not to be confused with the
division sign which is valid for the Table 1 equation P=E2/Zo. Remember that in order to obtain dBm from dBm/m2 given
a certain area, you must add the logarithm of the area, not multiply. The values in the table are rounded to the nearest dBW,
dBm, etc. per m2 so the results are less precise than a typical handheld calculator and may be up to dB off.
VOLTAGE MEASUREMENTS
Coaxial cabling typically has input impedances of 50, 75, and 93S, (2) with 50S being the most common. Other
types of cabling include the following: TV cable is 75S (coaxial) or 300S (twin-lead), audio public address (PA) is 600S,
audio speakers are 3.2(4), 8, or 16S.
In the 50S case, power and voltage are related by:
P'

E2
E2
'
' 50I 2
Z0
50

[2]

Conversions between measured power, voltage, and current where the typical impedance is 50 ohms can be obtained
from Table 2. The dBFA current values are given because frequently a current probe is used during laboratory tests to
determine the powerline input current to the system .
MATCHING CABLING IMPEDANCE
In performing measurements, we must take into account an impedance mismatch between measurement devices
(typically 50 ohms) and free space (377 ohms).

4-1.1

Table 1. Conversion Table - Field Intensity and Power Density

PD = E2/Z0 ( Related by free space impedance = 377 ohms )
E
(Volts/m)

20 log 106 (E)

(dBV/m)

PD
(watts/m2)

10 Log PD
(dBW/m2)

Watts/cm2

dBW/cm2

mW/cm2

dBm/cm2

dBm/m2

7,000
5,000
3,000
4,000
1,000

197
194
190
186
180

130,000
66,300
23,900
10,600
2,650

+51
+48
+44
+40
+34

13
6.6
2.4
1.1
.27

+11
+8
+4
0
-6

13,000
6,630
2,390
1,060
265

+41
+38
+34
+30
+24

+81
+78
+74
+70
+64

700
500
300
200
100

177
174
170
166
160

1,300
663
239
106
27

+31
+28
+24
+20
+14

.13
.066
.024
.011
.0027

-9
-12
-16
-20
-26

130
66
24
11
2.7

+21
+18
+14
+10
+4

+61
+58
+54
+50
+44

70
50
30
20
10

157
154
150
146
140

13
6.6
2.4
1.1
.27

+11
+8
+4
+0
-6

1.3x10-3
6.6x10-4
2.4x10-4
1.1x10-4
2.7x10-5

-29
-32
-36
-40
-46

1.3
.66
.24
.11
.027

+1
-2
-6
-10
-16

+41
+38
+34
+30
+24

7
5
3
2
1

137
134
130
126
120

.13
.066
.024
.011
.0027

-9
-12
-16
-20
-26

1.3x10-5
6.6x10-6
2.4x10-6
1.1x10-6
2.7x10-7

-49
-52
-56
-60
-66

.013
66x10-4
24x10-4
11x10-4
2.7x10-4

-19
-22
-26
-30
-36

+21
+18
+14
+10
+4

0.7
0.5
0.3
0.2
0.1

117
114
110
106
100

1.3x10-3
6.6x10-4
2.4x10-4
1.1x10-4
2.7x10-5

-29
-32
-36
-40
-46

1.3x10-7
6.6x10-8
2.4x10-8
1.1x10-8
2.7x10-9

-69
-72
-76
-80
-86

1.3x10-4
66x10-4
24x10-4
11x10-4
2.7x10-6

-39
-42
-46
-50
-56

+1
-2
-6
-10
-16

70x10-3
50x10-3
30x10-3
20x10-3
10x10-3

97
94
90
86
80

1.3x10-5
6.6x10-6
2.4x10-6
1.1x10-6
2.7x10-7

-49
-52
-56
-60
-66

1.3x10-9
6.6x10-10
2.4x10-10
1.1x10-10
2.7x10-11

-89
-92
-96
-100
-106

1.3x10-6
66x10-8
24x10-8
11x10-8
2.7x10-8

-59
-62
-66
-70
-76

-19
-22
-26
-30
-36

7x10-3
5x10-3
3x10-3
2x10-3
1x10-3

77
74
70
66
60

1.3x10-7
6.6x10-8
2.4x10-8
1.1x10-8
2.7x10-9

-69
-72
-76
-80
-86

1.3x10-11
6.6x10-12
2.4x10-12
1.1x10-12
2.7x10-13

-109
-112
-116
-120
-126

1.3x10-8
66x10-10
24x10-10
11x10-10
2.7x10-10

-79
-82
-86
-90
-96

-39
-42
-46
-50
-56

7x10-4
5x10-4
3x10-4
2x10-4
1x10-4

57
54
50
46
40

1.3x10-9
6.6x10-10
2.4x10-10
1.1x10-10
2.7x10-11

-89
-92
-96
-100
-106

1.3x10-13
6.6x10-14
2.4x10-14
1.1x10-14
2.7x10-15

-129
-132
-136
-140
-146

1.3x10-10
66x10-12
24x10-12
11x10-12
2.7x10-12

-99
-102
-106
-110
-116

-59
-62
-66
-70
-76

7x10-5
5x10-5
3x10-5
2x10-5
1x10-5

37
34
30
26
20

1.3x10-11
6.6x10-12
2.4x10-12
1.1x10-12
2.7x10-13

-109
-112
-116
-120
-126

1.3x10-15
6.6x10-16
2.4x10-16
1.1x10-16
2.7x10-17

-149
-152
-156
-160
-166

1.3x10-12
66x10-14
24x10-14
11x10-14
2.7x10-14

-119
-122
-126
-130
-136

-79
-82
-86
-90
-96

7x10-6
5x10-6
3x10-6
2x10-6
1x10-6

17
14
10
6
0

1.3x10-13
6.6x10-14
2.4x10-14
1.1x10-14
2.7x10-15

-129
-132
-136
-140
-146

1.3x10-17
6.6x10-18
2.4x10-18
1.1x10-18
2.7x10-19

-169
-172
-176
-180
-186

1.3x10-14
66x10-16
24x10-16
11x10-16
2.7x10-16

-139
-142
-146
-150
-156

-99
-102
-106
-110
-116

NOTE: Numbers in table rounded off

4-1.2

FIELD STRENGTH APPROACH

To account for the impedance difference, the antenna factor (AF) is defined as: AF=E/V, where E is field intensity
which can be expressed in terms taking 377 ohms into account and V is measured voltage which can be expressed in terms
taking 50 ohms into account. Details are provided in Section 4-12.
POWER DENSITY APPROACH
To account for the impedance difference , the antennas effective capture area term, Ae relates free space power
density PD with received power, Pr , i.e. Pr = PD Ae. Ae is a function of frequency and antenna gain and is related to AF
as shown in Section 4-12.
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
Section 4-2 provides sample calculations using power density and power terms from Table 1 and Table 2, whereas
Section 4-12 uses these terms plus field intensity and voltage terms from Table 1 and Table 2. Refer the examples in
Section 4-12 for usage of the conversions while converting free space values of power density to actual measurements with
a spectrum analyzer attached by coaxial cable to a receiving antenna.
Conversion Between Field Intensity (Table 1) and Power Received (Table 2).
Power received (watts or milliwatts) can be expressed in terms of
field intensity (volts/meter or v/meter) using equation [3]:
E2 c2
G
480B2 f 2

[3]

or in log form:

10 log Pr = 20 log E + 10 log G - 20 log f + 10 log (c2/480B2)

[4]

Then

10 log Pr = 20 log E1 + 10 log G - 20 log f1 + K4

[5]

Power received (Pr ) '

c2
@
480B2

Where K4 ' 10 log

conversions
(Watts to mW)
as required (volts to v)2 (Hz to MHz or GHz)2

Values of K4 (dB)

The derivation of equation [3] follows:

PD= E2/120B

Eq [1], Section 4-1, terms (v2/S)

Ae = 82G/4B

Eq [8], Section 3-1, terms (m2)

Pr = PDAe

Eq [2], Section 4-3, terms (W/m2)(m2)

Pr

= ( E2/120B

8 = c /f

)(

82G/4B)

terms

Pr

E1

f1 (Hz)

f1 (MHz)

f1 (GHz)

Watts
(dBW)

volts/meter

132.8

12.8

-47.2

v/meter

12.8

-107.2

-167.2

volts/meter

162.8

42.8

-17.2

v/meter

42.8

-77.2

-137.7

mW
(dBm)

(v2/m2S)(m2)

Section 2-3, terms (m/sec)(sec)

Pr = ( E2/480B2 )( c 2 G/f 2) which is equation [3]

terms (v2/m2S)( m2/sec2)(sec2) or v2/S = watts
4-1.3

Table 2. Conversion Table - Volts to Watts and dBFA

(Px = Vx2/Z - Related by line impedance of 50 S)
Volts

dBV

dBFV

Watts

dBW

dBm

dBFA

700
500
300
200
100

56.0
53.9
49.5
46.0
40.0

176.0
173.9
169.5
166.0
160.0

9800
5000
1800
800
200

39.9
37.0
32.5
29.0
23.0

69.9
67.0
62.5
59.0
53.0

142.9
140.0
135.5
132.0
126.0

70
50
30
20
10

36.9
34.0
29.5
26.0
20.0

156.9
154.0
149.5
146.0
140.0

98
50
18
8
2

19.9
17.0
12.5
9.0
3.0

49.9
47.0
42.5
39.0
33.0

122.9
120.0
115.5
112.0
106.0

7
5
3
2
1

16.9
14.0
9.5
6.0
0

136.9
134.0
129.5
126.0
120.0

0.8
0.5
0.18
0.08
0.02

0
-3.0
-7.4
-11.0
-17.0

29.9
27.0
22.5
19.0
13.0

102.9
100.0
95.6
92.0
86.0

0.7
0.5
0.3
0.2
0.1

-3.1
-6.0
-10.5
-14.0
-20.0

116.9
114.0
109.5
106.0
100.0

9.8 x 10-3
5.0 x 10-3
1.8 x 10-3
8.0 x 10-4
2.0 x 10-4

-20.1
-23.0
-27.4
-31.0
-37.0

9.9
7.0
2.6
-1.0
-7.0

82.9
80.0
75.6
72.0
66.0

.07
.05
.03
.02
.01

-23.1
-26.0
-30.5
-34.0
-40.0

96.9
94.0
89.5
86.0
80.0

9.8 x 10-5
5.0 x 10-5
1.8 x 10-5
8.0 x 10-6
2.0 x 10-6

-40.1
-43.0
-47.4
-51.0
-57.0

-10.1
-13.0
-17.7
-21.0
-27.0

62.9
60.0
55.6
52.0
46.0

7 x 10-3
5 x 10-3
3 x 10-3
2 x 10-3
1 x 10-3

-43.1
-46.0
-50.5
-54.0
-60.0

76.9
74.0
69.5
66.0
60.0

9.8 x 10-7
5.0 x 10-7
1.8 x 10-7
8.0 x 10-8
2.0 x 10-8

-60.1
-63.0
-67.4
-71.0
-77.0

-30.1
-33.0
-37.4
-41.0
-47.0

42.9
40.0
35.6
32.0
26.0

7 x 10-4
5 x 10-4
3 x 10-4
2 x 10-4
1 x 10-4

-64.1
-66.0
-70.5
-74.0
-80.0

56.9
54.0
49.5
46.0
40.0

9.8 x 10-9
5.0 x 10-9
1.8 x 10-9
8.0 x 10-10
2.0 x 10-10

-80.1
-83.0
-87.4
-91.0
-97.0

-50.1
-53.0
-57.4
-61.0
-67.0

22.9
20.0
15.6
12.0
6.0

7 x 10-5
5 x 10-5
3 x 10-5
2 x 10-5
1 x 10-5

-84.1
-86.0
-90.5
-94.0
-100.0

36.9
34.0
29.5
26.0
20.0

9.8 x 10-11
5.0 x 10-11
1.8 x 10-11
8.0 x 10-12
2.0 x 10-12

-100.1
-103.0
-107.4
-111.0
-117.0

-70.1
-73.0
-77.4
-81.0
-87.0

2.9
0
-4.4
-8.0
-14.0

7 x 10-6
5 x 10-6
3 x 10-6
2 x 10-6
1 x 10-6

-104.1
-106.0
-110.5
-114.0
-120.0

16.9
14.0
9.5
6.0
0

9.8 x 10-13
5.0 x 10-13
1.8 x 10-13
8.0 x 10-14
2.0 x 10-14

-120.1
-123.0
-127.4
-131.0
-137.0

-90.1
-93.0
-97.4
-101.0
-107.0

-17.1
-20.0
-24.4
-28.0
-34.0

7 x 10-7
5 x 10-7
3 x 10-7
2 x 10-7
1 x 10-7

-124.1
-126.0
-130.5
-134.0
-140.0

-3.1
-6.0
-10.5
-14.0
-20.0

9.8 x 10-15
5.0 x 10-15
1.8 x 10-15
8.0 x 10-16
2.0 x 10-16

-140.1
-143.0
-147.4
-151.0
-157.0

-110.1
-113.0
-117.4
-121.0
-127.0

-37.1
-40.0
-44.4
-48.0
-54.0

4-1.4