What does the term 'attenuation' refer to in fiber-optic technology?

The term 'attenuation' in fiber-optic technology specifically refers to the loss of signal strength as it travels through the fiber. This phenomenon occurs due to a variety of factors including absorption, scattering, and connector losses, which can degrade the quality of the signal over distance. Understanding attenuation is crucial for designing fiber-optic networks, as it affects how far signals can effectively travel without significant loss, ultimately influencing the performance and reliability of the communication system.

In this context, attenuation is an important metric that network designers and engineers must consider to ensure optimal signal integrity and sufficient performance, particularly over long distances or in complex network architectures.