Estimating WiFi power

Use our rule of thumb that a 3 dB gain or loss would double or halve power to estimate the following power levels.

Recall that dBm stands for decibels relative to one milliwatt.

  1. What is the power level of a 3 dBm signal?
  2. What is the power level of a 6 dBm signal?
  3. What is the power level of a 9 dBm signal?
  4. What is the power level of a -3 dBm signal?
  5. What is the power level of a -6 dBm signal?
  6. What is the power level of a -9 dBm signal?
  7. What is the power level in my office (-33 dBm)?
  8. What is the power level in my living room (-57 dBm)?
  9. What is the lowest power level my computer radio can detect (-75 dBm sensitivity)?
Hint: Do the first six by hand. When you see the pattern in solving them, use a calculator or spreadsheet for the others.

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