Reference Designer Calculators



Free Space Loss Calculator


Free Space Loss is the power loss of a radio signal as it travels through free space. Free Space loss calculation helps RF designers estimate the receive power strength for a given transmitter power. It helps determine the line of sight distance.



Free space loss depends upon frequency and distance. The loss increases with increas in frequency and obviously with increase in distance. Following is the formula for Free Space los $$ FSPL(dB) = 20 log_{10}\left(\frac{4π}{c}\right)+20 log_{10}(d)+20 log_{10}(f) $$ Where,

f is the signal frequency (in hertz),
d is the distance from the transmitter (in metres),
c is the speed of light

or

Free Space Loss (dB) = 36.6 + 20 x Log (Frequency (MHz) x Distance (Miles))

Freq in MHz
Distance in miles
 


If you wish to enter distance in kilometer , check the calculator here

For derivation of the Free path loss formula check here