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Free Space Path Loss - Friis Equation

Propagation Time & Path Loss - RF CafeAs a transmitted signal traverses the atmosphere its voltage potential decreases at a rate proportional to the distance traveled (3 dB per distance doubling) and the power level decreases at a rate proportional to the square of the distance traveled (6 dB per distance doubling). Note that path loss is equally affected by frequency, so doubling the frequency also results in 6 dB path loss per distance doubling.

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 Espresso Engineering 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 Power Path Loss Equations  (double for 2-way radar signal loss)

Path loss equation formula - RF Cafe

Path loss equation frequency - RF Cafe

Friis Equation

The Friis Equation (H.T. Friis, 1946) gives a more complete accounting for all the factors from the transmitter to the receiver:

Path loss Friis equation formula - RF Cafe

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.

Atmospheric Attenuation vs. Frequency & Distance (km) - RF Cafe

Free Space 1-Way Path Loss (km) 

Atmospheric Attenuation vs. Frequency & Distance (miles) - RF Cafe

Free Space 1-Way Path Loss (miles)

Here is information on propagation time, radar equation and Doppler

Can You Say, "Friis Equation?"

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.

Listen to Jørgen Jakob Friis pronounce "Friis"Friis  |  Listen to Jørgen Jakob Friis pronounce "Harald Friis"Harald T. Friis  |  Listen to Jørgen Jakob Friis pronounce "Naestved"Naestved

Anatech Electronics RF Microwave Filters - RF Cafe

About RF Cafe

Kirt Blattenberger - RF Cafe Webmaster

Copyright: 1996 - 2024

Webmaster:

    Kirt Blattenberger,

    BSEE - KB3UON

RF Cafe began life in 1996 as "RF Tools" in an AOL screen name web space totaling 2 MB. Its primary purpose was to provide me with ready access to commonly needed formulas and reference material while performing my work as an RF system and circuit design engineer. The World Wide Web (Internet) was largely an unknown entity at the time and bandwidth was a scarce commodity. Dial-up modems blazed along at 14.4 kbps while tying up your telephone line, and a nice lady's voice announced "You've Got Mail" when a new message arrived...

Copyright  1996 - 2026

All trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other rights of ownership to images and text used on the RF Cafe website are hereby acknowledged.

All trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other rights of ownership to images and text used on the RF Cafe website are hereby acknowledged.

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