User`s guide
dB Conversion
5-118
5dB Conversion
Purpose Convert magnitude data to decibels (dB or dBm).
Library Math Functions / Math Operations
Description The dB Conversion block converts a linearly scaled power or amplitude input 
to dB or dBm. The 
Input signal parameter specifies whether the input is a 
power signal or a voltage signal, and the 
Convert to parameter controls the 
scaling of the output. When selected, the 
Add eps to input to protect 
against “log(0) = -inf”
 parameter adds a value of eps to all power and voltage 
inputs. When this option is not enabled, zero-valued inputs produce 
-inf at the 
output. The size and frame status of the output are the same as the input.
Power Inputs
Select Power as the Input signal parameter when the input, u, is a real, 
nonnegative, power signal (units of watts). When the 
Convert to parameter is 
set to 
dB, the block performs the dB conversion
y = 10*log10(u) % Equivalent MATLAB code
When the Convert to parameter is set to dBm, the block performs the dBm 
conversion
y = 10*log10(u) + 30
The dBm conversion is equivalent to performing the dB operation after 
converting the input to milliwatts. 
Voltage Inputs
Select Amplitude as the Input signal parameter when the input, u, is a real 
voltage signal (units of volts). The block uses the scale factor specified in ohms 
by the 
Load resistance parameter, R, to convert the voltage input to units of 
power (watts) before converting to dB or dBm. When the 
Convert to parameter 
is set to 
dB, the block performs the dB conversion
y = 10*log10(abs(u)^2/R)
When the Convert to parameter is set to dBm, the block performs the dBm 
conversion
y = 10*log10(abs(u)^2/R) + 30










