Which term describes the loss of signal strength as it travels through a fiber optic cable?

Signal attenuation refers to the reduction in the strength of a signal as it travels through a medium, in this case, a fiber optic cable. This phenomenon can be attributed to several factors, including scattering, absorption, and imperfections in the fiber material. Over distance, the signal that enters the fiber optic cable will gradually lose its intensity, which is why attenuation is a crucial factor to consider when designing fiber optic systems. Understanding this term is essential for engineers and technicians, as it impacts the maximum distance over which data can be transmitted without the need for amplification.

While other terms might relate conceptually to aspects of the signal or the medium, none directly capture the concept of signal loss due to the inherent properties of fiber optics as succinctly as signal attenuation does.