What is referred to as the reduction in signal strength due to transmission over long distances?

The reduction in signal strength due to transmission over long distances is known as attenuation. This phenomenon occurs as a signal travels through a medium, whether it be copper cable, fiber optic cable, or wireless transmission. As the signal propagates, it experiences loss of energy, which can result from various factors such as resistance in wires, absorption in materials, or scattering and diffraction.

Attenuation is a crucial concept in audio-visual systems and network design, as it affects the quality and clarity of the transmitted audio or video signals. Designers and engineers must account for attenuation when planning installations to ensure that the signal strength remains adequate over the desired distances, often using amplifiers or signal boosters as necessary to mitigate signal loss.

Conversely, other terms like reflection, dispersion, and refraction relate more to how signals interact with different media or environments rather than a direct loss of signal strength over distance. Therefore, understanding attenuation is key for those working with audio-visual systems to maintain effective signal transmission and quality.