Attenuation: meaning, definitions and examples
📉
attenuation
[ əˌtɛn.juˈeɪ.ʃən ]
signal reduction
Attenuation refers to the reduction in the strength or intensity of a signal as it travels through a medium. This phenomenon is commonly encountered in fields such as telecommunications and physics, where signals weaken due to various factors including distance, absorption, and scattering. Attenuation can significantly affect the quality of audio, video, and data transmissions, requiring measures to compensate for the loss. It is quantified in decibels (dB) and is an essential consideration in the design and analysis of communication systems.
Synonyms
diminution, reduction, weakening.
Examples of usage
- The attenuation of the audio signal was noticeable after a long cable run.
- High attenuation in fiber optics can lead to poor data transmission.
- The engineer measured the attenuation in the radio waves broadcasted.
Translations
Translations of the word "attenuation" in other languages:
🇵🇹 atenuação
🇮🇳 कमज़ोरी
🇩🇪 Dämpfung
🇮🇩 atenuasi
🇺🇦 атенуація
🇵🇱 osłabienie
🇯🇵 減衰
🇫🇷 atténuation
🇪🇸 atenuación
🇹🇷 zayıflama
🇰🇷 감쇠
🇸🇦 تخفيف
🇨🇿 atenuace
🇸🇰 atenuácia
🇨🇳 衰减
🇸🇮 atenuacija
🇮🇸 daufun
🇰🇿 жұмсарту
🇬🇪 შეუმცირებელი
🇦🇿 azaldılması
🇲🇽 atenuación
Etymology
The word 'attenuation' originates from the Latin 'attenuatio', which translates to 'the act of thinning'. The root 'attenuare' means 'to make thin', derived from 'ad-' (to) and 'tenuis' (thin). The concept of attenuation has been used for centuries in various scientific fields, particularly in physics and telecommunications. Initially, it referred mainly to the reduction of physical materials, but as technology progressed, the term evolved to encompass the weakening of signals and waves in different mediums. Its application in modern contexts, especially in electronics and data transmission, reflects the advancements in understanding signal behavior over distances. This evolution mirrors the broader historical transitions in science and technology, marking the importance of precise communication in our increasingly interconnected world.