How to calculate field strength ?

RF field strength calculations play a crucial role to ensure regulatory compliance, predict interference, optimize antenna design and to plan network infrastructure. It also helps in safeguarding public health and safety in various applications of wireless communication and electromagnetic technology. This calculator mentions RF Field Strength formula and provide calculator with example values.

If RF antenna radiates RF energy and hits particular point on curvature of the earth, electric field gets produced. RF field strength at that point is calculated using maxwell equation. We will calculate RF field strength using receiving antenna placed at this point.

RF field strength calculator

Effective height of Tx antenna (meters) (input#1):
Effective height of Rx antenna (meters) (input#2):
Antenna Current(Amperes) (input#3) :
Distance from Tx and Rx (input#4) :
Operating frequency (GHz) (input#5) :


RF Field Strength (Output):

Numerical example

Following are the default example values used in field strength calculator above.
INPUTS: ht = 50 meters, hr = 20 meters, I = 10 amperes , distance between Tx and Rx = 100 meters, Frequency = 3 GHz
OUTPUT : Field Strength = 376991 V/m

RF Field Strength Formula

RF field strength measurement has become very essential due to exponential growth of cellular phones and base stations across the globe.

People leaving near to the cellular towers or base stations are worst affected due to RF fields emission. RF field strength is higher near the transmitting antenna and lower at the far ends. Exposure to higher field strengths results into heating of biological tissues. This will often have adverse effects such as tissue damage leading to various diseases related to brain and often results into various type of cancers etc.

The RF field strength is measured in terms of E field or H field and units are V/m and A/m respectively.

Following equation or formula is used for RF field strength calculator.

RF field strength calculator equation

RF Field strength calculator is useful due to various reasons as outlined below.
➨By knowing the RF field strength at various distances from a transmitter, we can assess the coverage area of your wireless communication system. This helps in planning network deployments for telecommunication services such as cellular networks, Wi-Fi hotspots or radio broadcasting.
➨Understanding how the RF field strength changes with distance and antenna parameters allows you to optimize the placement of antennas for maximum coverage and signal strength. This is crucial in applications such as satellite communications, where precise antenna alignment is necessary for reliable signal reception.
➨RF field strength calculations help evaluate the quality of wireless signals in different environments. For example, in industrial settings with potential sources of interference, such as machinery or metal structures, knowing the expected field strength helps anticipate signal degradation and implement measures to mitigate it.

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