Radio link budget calculator - line of sight link.

Complete all white boxes and then click any calculate button to obtain results in the green boxes.

If you are not using dish antennas at one of both ends, then estimate the gain in dBi of the dipole, tin can, horn etc that you have. e.g dipole gain = 3 dBi, tin can 7 dBi, bi-quad 8 dBi, helix 12 dBi etc.

Input numbers into the box for antenna diameter and keep altering the number till the antenna gain is as you want it.

Frequency GHz
Transmit antenna diameter m
Transmit antenna aperture efficiency e.g. 0.65
Transmit antenna transmit gain dBi
Transmit antenna, power at the feed W
Transmit EIRP dBW
Range km
Path (spreading) loss dB
Power flux density at receive end dBW/m^2
Bandwidth Hz
Receive antenna diameter m
Receive antenna aperture efficiency e.g. 0.65
Receive system noise temperature (antenna+LNA) K
Signal power at output of receive antenna dBm
Receiver sensitivity (see manufacturer spec e.g -80 dBm)
Receive margin dB (0-5dB=marginal, 10-15dB=good)
Receive antenna gain dBi
Receive G/T dB/K
Link C/N dB

I would be interested for anyone to evaluate this calculator and put right any errors, make suggestions for improvements etc.

General purpose satellite link budget calculator
Other satellite related pre-calculated link budgets with useful default parameters inserted (may be amended and recalculated):

SCPC / DAMA 8kbit/s mesh network 1.8m antennas - Skylinx
Europe to Africa - Satellite internet broadband outlink
Africa to Europe - Satellite internet TDMA return link
Digital television broadcasting - MPEG link budget
Data broadcasting or data distribution
Satellite mobile phone link budget - return link from mobile to hub

Explanation of satellite links

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Any problems or comments please e-mail Eric Johnston
Copyright © 1 Jan 1999 Satellite Signals Ltd All Rights Reserved
Last Revision: 14 Nov 2004,
 30 Sept 2005, 22 Aug 2007