What is an alternative term for attenuation?

Attenuation refers to the reduction in strength of a signal as it travels through a medium, commonly measured in decibels (dB). An alternative term for attenuation is insertion loss because it quantifies the loss of signal power resulting from an insertion of a device or medium into a transmission line. This term is particularly relevant in the context of communication systems where the insertion of connectors, adapters, or other components can cause a decrease in signal strength. Insertion loss directly correlates to attenuation, making it an appropriate synonym in technical discussions about signal degradation.

While other terms like reflection loss, return loss, and termination loss also describe various forms of signal loss, they refer to different phenomena. Reflection loss pertains specifically to the loss incurred when part of the signal is reflected back due to impedance mismatches, return loss measures how much of the signal is reflected back from the load rather than being transmitted, and termination loss refers to the loss occurring due to the termination of a transmission line or when the signal reaches its intended end. Each of these terms captures unique aspects of signal transmission, which is why insertion loss effectively aligns with the definition and context of attenuation.