What is a key consequence of signals arriving back at the source with a delay in a network?

When signals in a network arrive back at the source with a delay, one significant consequence is the formation of micro-reflections. These micro-reflections occur when a signal is partially reflected back toward the source due to impedance mismatches or other irregularities in the transmission medium. This delayed return can create multiple overlapping signal versions which interfere with the original signal.

The presence of micro-reflections can cause distortion in the transmitted signal, complicating the task of decoding and processing it at the receiving end. Unlike the other choices, which imply benefits or improvements to network functionality, the formation of micro-reflections highlights a common challenge in signal integrity that networks must manage.