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Optical Link Power Budget and Margin Calculator

Compare transmitter output, receiver sensitivity, reserve margin, and estimated or measured path loss to calculate remaining optical link margin.

Inputs

Link inputs

Range: -40–20 dBm

Use the applicable minimum transmitter output for a conservative link check.

Range: -60–10 dBm

Use the receiver threshold for the selected data rate and operating conditions.

Range: 0–20 dB

This is a project design allowance entered by the user, not a universal fixed value.

Range: 0–200 dB

Enter the result of a path-loss estimate or a measured link value.

Result

Transmitter-to-sensitivity loss budget (dB)
25.00
Remaining link margin (dB)
4.00
Loss budget after reserved margin (dB)
22.00

Formula

Calculation logic

Formula definitions and substituted values.

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