Thedecibel watt (dBW ordB_W) is a unit for the measurement of the strength of a signal expressed indecibels relative to onewatt. It is used because of its capability to express both very large and very small values of power in a short range of number; e.g., 1 milliwatt = −30 dBW, 1 watt = 0 dBW, 10 watts = 10 dBW, 100 watts = 20 dBW, and 1,000,000 W = 60 dBW.

${\displaystyle \text{Power in dBW}=10{\log }_{10}\frac{\text{Power}}{1\mathrm{W}}}$

and also

${\displaystyle \text{Power in W}={10}^{\frac{\text{Power in dBW}}{10}}}$

Compare dBW todBm, which is referenced to one milliwatt (0.001 W).

A given dBW value expressed in dBm is always 30 more because 1 watt is 1,000 milliwatts, and a ratio of 1,000 (in power) is 30 dB; e.g., 10 dBm (10 mW) is equal to −20 dBW (0.01 W).

In theSI system the non SI modifierdecibel (dB) is not permitted for use directly alongsideSI units so the dBW is not directly permitted but 10 dBW may be written 10 dB (1 watt).^[1]: 7.4

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