What is the term used for the reduction of power as a signal travels through a system?

The correct term describing the reduction of power as a signal travels through a system is attenuation. Attenuation refers specifically to the loss of signal strength that occurs when a signal passes through a medium, such as fiber optic cables. This loss can be caused by various factors, including absorption, scattering, and reflections inside the fiber.

Attenuation is typically measured in decibels (dB) over a specific distance, allowing technicians to assess the performance of the fiber optic system. Recognizing and understanding the principles of attenuation is crucial for installers and engineers, as it directly impacts the quality and reliability of the communication signal transmitted over fiber optics.

While signal degradation can describe a broader range of effects that could impact signal quality, including noise and distortion, attenuation specifically quantifies the reduction in signal power. Other terms like amplification and dissipation refer to different concepts—amplification involves increasing signal power, and dissipation generally describes the loss of energy in a system, which is not always directly related to signal travel in fiber optics.