attenuation
<communications> The progressive reduction in amplitude of a signal as it
travels farther from the point of origin.
For example, an electric signal's amplitude reduces with distance due to
electrical impedance. Attenuation is usually measured in decibels [per metre?].
Attenuation does not imply appreciable modification of the shape of the waveform
(distortion), though as the signal amplitude falls the signal-to-noise ratio
will also fall unless the channel itself is noise free or the signal is
amplified at some intermediate point(s) along the channel.
["Networking Essentials, second edition", Microsoft Corporation, pub. Microsoft
Press 1997].
(2003-07-29)
Nearby terms:
AT&T « Attachment Unit Interface « AT&T Bell Labs «
attenuation » atto- » attoparsec » attribute
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