How do you define the "attenuation" of a cable?

Attenuation refers specifically to the reduction in signal strength that occurs as the signal travels along a cable. When a signal is transmitted over any medium, it will naturally lose some of its strength due to various factors such as resistance, electrical interference, and the physical properties of the cable itself. This loss is measured in decibels (dB) per unit length (like meters or feet) of the cable. Understanding attenuation is crucial for ensuring that a signal can be transmitted over long distances without significant degradation in quality, which is especially important in telecommunications and data networking.

The other options do not accurately describe attenuation. The first option mistakenly suggests an increase in signal strength, which is the opposite of what attenuation represents. The third choice focuses on the cable's length, which does not inherently relate to the concept of loss in signal strength. The last option refers to the ratio of input to output power, which relates to power levels but does not specifically address the loss phenomenon as defined by attenuation.