What does the term "attenuation" refer to in signal transmission?

The term "attenuation" in signal transmission refers specifically to the loss of signal strength as it travels through a medium. This phenomenon occurs due to various factors including resistance in cables, absorption by materials, and scattering caused by obstacles. As the signal propagates over distance, its power diminishes, which can lead to weaker received signals, ultimately affecting the quality and reliability of communication.

Understanding attenuation is crucial for designing communication systems, as engineers must consider how to minimize or compensate for signal loss. This may involve using signal amplifiers or repeaters at strategic points in the transmission path to restore signal strength. In contrast, an increase in signal strength, unchanging signal levels, or interference from other signals relates to different aspects of signal transmission and do not define what attenuation itself represents.