One of the test parameters used when testing Category 5E or Category 6 UTP, FTP or ScTP Permanent Links or channels. Return loss is a measurement of the power reflected from the cabling in dB. Return loss is basically the measurement of the impedance mismatches caused when components such as patch panels, wall outlets or consolidation points “break” the cable run. Excessive pulling, twisting or kinking of cables i.e. altering the cable's construction can contribute to return loss failures. The larger the value of return loss in dB, the better the performance.
A measure of the similarity between the two impedances at a junction. The higher the return loss, the higher the similarity. RL is the ratio (in decibels) of the power incident upon the junction to the power reflected from the junction.
The parameter describing the attenuation of a guided wave signal (e.g., via a coaxial cable) returned to a source by a device or medium resulting from reflections of the signal generated by the source.
The ratio of the power launched into a cable and the power of the light returned down the fiber. This measurement is expressed in positive decibel units (db). A higher number is better. Return Loss = 10 log (incident power/returned power).
Also reflectance: The ratio of reflected power to inserted power; expressed in decibels.
The measurement of the loss in strength of the RF signal returned from an end termination.
The ratio, in dB, of the power transmitted into the filter to the power reflected back toward the source.
Fraction of power transferred from an input port back to the same input port.
Also called back reflection; is light that is reflected back along the path of transmission, from either the coupling region, the connector or a terminated fiber.
This is a measure of the overall uniformity of a link's impedance relative to 100 ohms.
Measure of the dis-similarity of the impedance of a transmission line and the impedance at its connected load. It is a ratio, expressed in decibels, of the power of the outgoing signal to the power of the signal reflected back. A measure of reflected energy in decibels at a specific frequency and cable length.
Reflection coefficient expressed in dB.
The difference between the power incident upon a discontinuity in a transmission system and the power reflected from the discontinuity.
The ratio, in dB, of maximum power sent down a transmission line to the power returned toward the source. Also equal to 20 times the log of the reciprocal of the reflection coefficient. If return loss is infinite all power is absorbed in the circuit.
A measure of the percentage of the incident power that is reflected back down the transmission line. Return loss is the percentage reflected power expressed in dB notation.
A measure of the signal reflected back toward the transmitter as a result of impedance variations in the cabling system.
A measure of the undesirable signal reflections from an imperfectly terminated transmission line. Expressed in dB. Also see VSWR.
Noise or interference caused by impedance discontinuities along the transmission line at various frequencies. Return loss is expressed in decibels.
The ratio of the power of an optical signal in a cable to the power of the cable's reflected signals.
The ratio of the total power, transferred and reflected (and also "incident" power) to the reflected power alone, when expressed in decibels, is called the return loss. The return loss expresses the relative strength of a signal traveling "backwards" through a transmission system, to that travelling in the "desired" direction. A ratio of the amount of reflected signal to the total available signal entering a device expressed in decibels.
The power returned down a fibre after reflection from a component. Usually expressed in dB.
Expressed in decibels, Return Loss is a measure of VSWR.
The value (in decibels) of the ratio of the power or voltage loss between the forward (transmitted) wave and the reflected wave, as a result of impedance mismatch.
In telecommunication, return loss is the ratio, at the junction of a transmission line and a terminating impedance or other discontinuity, of the amplitude of the reflected wave to the amplitude of the incident wave. The return loss value describes the reduction in the amplitude of the reflected energy, as compared to the forward energy. For example, if a device has 15dB of return loss, the reflected energy from that device is always 15dB lower than the energy presented.
