Use this tool to convert from microWatt (uW) to dBm.
Formula for uW to dBm
PdBmโ=10*Log10โ(PuWโ/1000)
where
- PdBmโ is the power in dBm
- PuW is the power in microwatts
Example Calculations
- 500 microwatt is equivalent to -3.01 dBm
- 0.01 microwatt is equivalent to -50 dBm
Background
dBm (decibel-milliwatts) is a unit of power measurement that expresses the power level in decibels relative to 1 milliwatt (mW). It is commonly used in telecommunications, radio, and audio engineering to measure the power of signals.
- Reference Point: dBm is referenced to 1 milliwatt (mW). This means 0 dBm is equal to 1 mW of power.
- Logarithmic Scale: The dBm scale is logarithmic, making it convenient to represent a wide range of power levels. A logarithmic scale is useful because it compresses large ranges of values into a more manageable form.
A Microwatt (ยตW) is a unit of power equal to one millionth of a watt (W). It is commonly used to measure very small amounts of power, particularly in fields such as electronics, telecommunications, and medical devices.
Microwatts are often used to measure power in scenarios where the power levels are very low. Some examples include:
- Electronics: In low-power electronics, such as sensors and microcontrollers, power consumption is often measured in microwatts to optimize energy efficiency and extend battery life.
- Medical Devices: Devices like hearing aids and pacemakers use microwatts of power, requiring precise measurement to ensure proper function and safety.
- Telecommunications: Signal power in communication systems, especially in fiber optics and other highly sensitive applications, can be measured in microwatts.