As a transmitted signal traverses the atmosphere its power level decreases at a rate inversely proportional
to the distance traveled and proportional to the wavelength of the signal. The formula used by
RF Workbench accounts for only the diminishing voltage without accounting for
absorption or dispersion by the atmosphere. Both a 1-Way and a 2-Way Path Loss Calculator are included in
RF Cafe Calculator Workbook for FREE.
These equations are valid when the distance is greater than about a wavelength. At distances less than that
the electric field is transitioning between near field and far field where, physical factors like antenna dimensions
dominate and force the use of electromagnetic field equations.
Note: When using these formulas, be sure to keep dimensional units consistent; i.e.,
do not mix kHz with MHz, mm with inches, etc. It is safer to use base units (e.g., Hz, m)
for calculation, then convert result to desired units.
1-Way Path Loss Equations (double for 2-way radar signal
The Friis Equation (H.T. Friis, 1946) gives a more complete accounting for all the factors from the transmitter
to the receiver:
Information in the transmitted signal is seldom concentrated at a single frequency, so the path loss will actually
be different for every frequency component in the signal. Fortunately, the ratio of the bandwidth to center frequency
is usually small enough to not matter. Still, a signal that is transmitted with a constant power across some bandwidth
will appear at the receiver with a power slope that decreases at the upper end of the band.
Free Space 1-Way Path Loss (km)
Free Space 1-Way Path Loss (miles)
Here is information on propagation time,
radar equation and Doppler.
Most RF engineers are familiar with the Friis equation, which
predicts the received power level.
Harald T. Friis,
born in Naestved, Denmark, is its namesake.
Just as with "Fresnel" (Fresnel
zone), many people do not know the proper pronunciation of "Friis" - I did not. So, I asked a native Dane,
Jørgen Jakob Friis, how he pronounces the name. He responded with actual audio files of him speaking H.T.
Friis' name and hometown.
T. Friis |