A municipal WLAN design says 'reduce power by 3 dB.' What does that instruction express?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
When the design says 'down 3 dB,' it means cut relative to what you have now — a ratio change, like turning the volume knob a known step. It is not handing you a finished dBm number unless you already know the starting absolute level.
Full Explanation
The decibel (dB) expresses a relative difference or ratio between two power levels. A directive to reduce power by 3 dB specifies a relative change (commonly associated with roughly half the power) rather than stating a standalone absolute dBm value. Absolute level would be given in dBm or mW. Band changes and SSID visibility are separate configuration topics unrelated to the meaning of a dB delta.