Solve RF peak power, average power, or duty cycle for rectangular pulses, with W/kW/MW conversion, pulse energy, repetition rate, and crest-factor dB.
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RF Average Power to Peak Power Formula
These relationships assume periodic rectangular RF pulses with constant pulse-on power and zero off power. Peak means the ideal pulse-top power in this model, not a true overshoot peak or the PEP of an arbitrary shaped envelope. Duty cycle is entered as a percent.
- Pavg = average RF power, in W, kW, or MW
- Ppeak = constant pulse-on (ideal pulse-top) RF power, in W, kW, or MW
- D = duty cycle, as a percent
If you enter average power and duty cycle, the calculator solves for peak power. If you enter peak power and duty cycle, it solves for average power. If you enter average power and peak power, it solves for duty cycle.
The power units are converted to watts for the calculation, then converted back to the selected output unit.
Common Duty Cycle Conversions
| Duty Cycle | Decimal Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1% | 0.01 | Signal is on 1% of the time |
| 5% | 0.05 | Average power is 5% of peak power |
| 10% | 0.10 | Average power is 10% of peak power |
| 25% | 0.25 | Average power is one quarter of peak power |
| 50% | 0.50 | Average power is half of peak power |
Power Unit Reference
| Unit | Equivalent in Watts | Example |
|---|---|---|
| W | 1 W | 500 W = 500 W |
| kW | 1,000 W | 2 kW = 2,000 W |
| MW | 1,000,000 W | 0.5 MW = 500,000 W |
Examples
Example 1: Find peak power
You have an average RF power of 200 W and a duty cycle of 10%.
The peak power is 2,000 W, or 2 kW.
Example 2: Find average power
You have a peak RF power of 5 kW and a duty cycle of 20%.
The average power is 1 kW.
FAQ
What is the difference between average RF power and peak RF power?
For this rectangular-pulse model, pulse-top RF power is constant during each active pulse and zero outside it. Average RF power is the time average over a full repetition cycle. It is lower than pulse-top power unless duty cycle is 100%. Shaped envelopes and nonzero off power require integration of the power waveform.
Why does a lower duty cycle give a higher peak power?
For the same average power, a lower duty cycle means the RF signal is active for less time. To deliver the same average power in a shorter active period, the pulse must have a higher peak power.
Can duty cycle be zero?
Physically, 0% describes an off signal with zero average power. It does not identify a finite pulse-top power from a given average power, and its peak-to-average ratio is undefined. This calculator requires positive powers and duty above 0% through 100% to keep its inverse calculations and ratios finite.
