RF link budget
calculator.
Estimate what reaches the receiver. Vary distance, gains, and losses to see how much fade margin remains.
Edit the link assumptions ↓Link assumptions
Use receiver sensitivity at the intended data rate. Enter known losses as positive numbers.
Link estimate
Estimated received power
- Free-space path loss
- Fade margin
- Transmitter EIRP
- Midpoint Fresnel radius
Ideal distance at target margin
Power by distance
All gains and losses held fixed · Dashed line shows target power
| Distance | Receive power | Fade margin |
|---|
Select a distance to use it in the budget.
The chart uses free-space loss and the fixed losses entered above. Validate real paths for terrain, obstructions, interference, and fade.
Check the link budget by hand
Follow a 2.4 GHz, one-kilometre example from antenna gains through path loss to the receiver.
See the formula and worked example →