What is EIRP?
EIRP is the total radiated power of a transmitting antenna system in its maximum gain direction, referenced to an ideal isotropic radiator. In 5G NR, EIRP is the primary performance metric for FR2 (mmWave) base stations and UEs — replacing the conducted power measurements used for FR1 — because mmWave antenna arrays are integrated into the device and cannot be accessed by RF cables.
How Does EIRP Work?
EIRP = Transmit Power (dBm) + Antenna Gain (dBi) – Cable/Filter Losses. For mmWave phased arrays with beamforming, EIRP varies dynamically as the beam is steered. 3GPP defines minimum EIRP requirements and OTA test methods (CATR, DFF, IFF) for measuring EIRP in anechoic chambers.
Use Cases
FR2 UE and base station conformance testing, link budget calculations for mmWave deployments, regulatory type approval for mmWave radio equipment.
3GPP / Standards Reference
3GPP TS 38.101-2 (FR2 UE Radio Requirements), TS 38.141-2 (FR2 BS Conformance Testing)
Related Terms
OTA | mmWave | FR2 | Beamforming | CATR | DFF | IFF
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This glossary entry is part of the 5GWorldPro Complete 5G Glossary. To go deeper into 5G architecture and technology, explore our 5G Training courses.
