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Attenuation distortion occurs when different frequency components of a complex waveform experience varying degrees of attenuation as they propagate through a medium, such as a transmission line or a communication channel. This unequal attenuation causes the waveform to become distorted.
Key Aspects:
- Frequency Dependence: Different frequencies within the signal may be attenuated differently, leading to changes in the relative amplitudes of these frequencies.
- Complex Waveforms: In signals containing multiple frequency components, attenuation distortion affects the overall shape and fidelity of the waveform.
- Transmission Lines: This distortion is particularly relevant in transmission lines and communication systems where different frequencies can suffer from varying degrees of loss.
Consequences:
- Signal Degradation: The resulting signal may lose its original shape and clarity, leading to reduced quality in audio, video, or data transmission.
- Compensation: Techniques such as equalization are often used to mitigate attenuation distortion by adjusting the amplitude of different frequency components to restore the original waveform shape.