Semester 3 / Data Communication And Networking /Transmission Impairments

Transmission Impairments

1 min read Updated Fri Apr 24 2026 07:36:29 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
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Factors that degrade the quality of signal during transmission.

Free space loss

Attenuation due to spread of the signal over large area.

Free space loss=PtPr=(4πfdc)2\text{Free space loss} = \frac{P_t}{P_r} = \left(\frac{4\pi f d}{c} \right)^2

Here:

  • PtP_t: Power at transmission
  • PrP_r: Power at reception
  • ff: Frequency of the signal
  • dd: Distance between attennas
  • cc: Speed of light in vacuum
LDB=20log⁡10(4πfdc)L_{\text{DB}} = 20 \log_{10} \left(\frac{4\pi f d}{c}\right)

Multipath interference

When multiple copies of the signal reach the receiver with different delays. Caused because of reflection from obstacles.

In microwave, signal may refract and also go through curve paths so that it will reflect from ground.