EIRP
Pronunciation: EE-urp
Also written as: EIRP — Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power
A measure of the power a transmitting antenna radiates in a specific direction, combining transmitter output power and antenna gain. Used to characterise the signal strength of a ground station or satellite uplink.
Full Definition
EIRP expresses the hypothetical power that an isotropic antenna would need to radiate to produce the same signal strength in a given direction as the actual antenna. It is calculated as the product of transmitter power and antenna gain, typically expressed in dBW or dBm. In satellite ground systems, EIRP is a critical parameter for link budget calculations. Editors encountering this term in technical documents should verify it is rendered as an acronym in all caps and paired with correct units. It should not be confused with antenna gain alone.
Usage
Usage note: Always render as 'EIRP' in all caps; never expand inline unless in a glossary or first-use context. Units (dBW or dBm) must accompany numerical values.
In Context
- "The ground station's EIRP of 52 dBW was sufficient to close the uplink budget under worst-case rain-fade conditions." — Link Budget Report
- "Engineers must confirm the EIRP specification before submitting the frequency coordination filing." — Regulatory Filing