For Rule of 10s and 3s Example 4 we

have an access point transmitting at 30

mW. The cable and connector between
the access point and the antenna create 3
dB of signal loss, and the antenna
provides 20 dBi of gain.

1
 EIRP

Data Sent

30 mW +20 dBi

-3 dB
Intentional
Radiator

EIRP: Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power

2
 3 + * 2
10 - 10
dBm mW
0 1

Start off with the template.

Rule of 10s and 3s Example 4: 30 mW access point, 3 dB cable loss, 20 dBi antenna gain

3
 3 + * 2
10 - 10
dBm mW
Unknown
0 30
1

No matter how hard you try, you will not be able

to multiply 1 by 2 and 10 to come up with 30.
This does not mean that you cant calculate the
IR or EIRP. It only means that using the rule of You need to determine if by
10s and 3s, you cannot set the dBm to equal using * and , and 2 and 10,
30 mW. In these cases, you can calculate the you can change from 1 to 30
mW portion of the chart only. So enter the mW.
starting mW value, and set the dBm to
unknown.

Rule of 10s and 3s Example 4: 30 mW access point, 3 dB cable loss, 20 dBi antenna gain

4
 3 + * 2
10 - 10
dBm mW
Unknown 30
-3 Unknown-3

Even though you dont know the dBm value, you

can still calculate the dB change, and apply the
correlative mathematical commands on the mW
column. Since the cable and connector creates
a 3 dB loss, enter it in the chart as usual and
perform the calculations.

Rule of 10s and 3s Example 4: 30 mW access point, 3 dB cable loss, 20 dBi antenna gain

5
 3 + * 2
10 - 10
dBm mW
Unknown 30
-3 Unknown-3 =15 2

Even though you cant calculate the dBm value, you

can still calculate the effect of the dB change and
perform the correlative mathematical commands on
the mW column. Since the cable and connector
creates a 3 dB loss, the mW column must be divided
by 2.

Rule of 10s and 3s Example 4: 30 mW access point, 3 dB cable loss, 20 dBi antenna gain

6
 3 + * 2
10 - 10
dBm mW
Unknown 30
-3 Unknown-3 15 2

You now know that the IR is 15 mW. Since you did not
know the original dBm value, you cannot give the IR
value in dBms, only mWs.

Rule of 10s and 3s Example 4: 30 mW access point, 3 dB cable loss, 20 dBi antenna gain

7
 3 + * 2
10 - 10
dBm mW
Unknown 30
-3 Unknown-3 15 2
+10 Unknown+7 150 *10
+10 Unknown+17 1500 *10
And then perform the correlative
mathematics on the mW column.
Now you can add the 20 dBi gain of Adding 10 twice in the dBm column
the antenna. You do this by adding means that you must multiply the mW
10 twice. column by 10 twice.

Rule of 10s and 3s Example 4: 30 mW access point, 3 dB cable loss, 20 dBi antenna gain

8
 3 + * 2
10 - 10
dBm mW
Unknown 30
-3 Unknown-3 15 2
+10 Unknown+7 150 *10
+10 Unknown+17 1500 *10

So the EIRP is 1500 mW or 1.5 watts. So even though you could not
calculate the actual value for dBms using the rule of 10s and 3s, you were
still able to calculate the mW value.

Rule of 10s and 3s Example 4: 30 mW access point, 3 dB cable loss, 20 dBi antenna gain

9
 3 + * 2
10 - 10
dBm mW
14.7712 30

Dont forget, instead of using

the rule of 10s and 3s, you
can always use the
logarithmic formula to
calculate the dBm value.
dBm = 10 * log10(PmW)
14.7712 = 10 * log10(30)

Rule of 10s and 3s Example 4: 30 mW access point, 3 dB cable loss, 20 dBi antenna gain

10
 3 + * 2
10 - 10
dBm mW
14.7712 30
-3 11.7712 15.0356
+10 21.7712 150.3561
+10 31.7712 1503.5616

If you had used the logarithmic formula dBm = 10 * log10(PmW) to calculate the
dBm value for 30 mW, the value would be 14.7712. If you then added and
subtracted the dB gains and losses and calculated the corresponding mW
values, this is what you would have come up with.

Rule of 10s and 3s Example 4: 30 mW access point, 3 dB cable loss, 20 dBi antenna gain

11