Dynamic Range Calculator
Calculate the dynamic range of a system from its maximum signal level and noise floor.
dBm
dBm
Dynamic Range
90.0 dB
Equivalent ADC Bits14.7
Max Signal (mW)10.000 mW
Dynamic Range vs Maximum Signal Level
What is Dynamic Range?
Dynamic range is the ratio between the largest and smallest signals a system can handle, expressed in decibels.
Formula
DR (dB) = Max Signal Level - Noise Floor
Equivalent Bits = (DR - 1.76) / 6.02
The equivalent bits tell you the ADC resolution needed to digitize this range. Each bit adds about 6 dB of dynamic range.
Examples
Example Calculation
Receiver with max signal +10 dBm and noise floor -80 dBm.
- 01Dynamic range: 10 - (-80) = 90 dB
- 02Equivalent bits: (90 - 1.76) / 6.02 = 14.7 bits
- 03A 16-bit ADC would cover this range
Frequently Asked Questions
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