What does insertion loss (attenuation) indicate in terms of signal availability?

Insertion loss, commonly referred to as attenuation, represents the reduction in signal strength as it passes through a medium such as a cable or connector. This measure is vital for understanding signal availability in transmission systems.

When insertion loss is present, it indicates that the signal has lost some of its strength during transmission. Therefore, a higher insertion loss correlates with less available signal reaching the receiving end. This decrease in signal availability can lead to poorer performance in communication systems, resulting in issues such as slower data rates or increased error rates.

Recognizing insertion loss is crucial in system design and installation because it emphasizes the importance of minimizing attenuation to ensure optimal signal integrity. In summary, greater insertion loss translates directly to less available signal, making option C the correct choice.