What is the consequence of increased insertion loss in a fiber optic connection?

Increased insertion loss in a fiber optic connection is associated with a loss of signal quality. Insertion loss refers to the reduction of power that occurs when the light signal passes through a fiber optic connector or splice. As the insertion loss increases, the amount of optical power that reaches the receiving end of the fiber decreases. This reduction can lead to diminished signal clarity and integrity, often resulting in data errors or loss of information in the transmitted signal. Therefore, a higher insertion loss directly correlates with degraded performance in communication systems relying on fiber optics, affecting the overall efficiency and reliability of the network.

In contrast, improved signal quality, no significant impact on performance, and increased data transmission speed are not accurate statements regarding the effects of increased insertion loss. They suggest scenarios where the system operates optimally, which would be the opposite of what happens when insertion loss increases.