Signal strength measures the quality of a signal at a certain distance from its source, often used in telecommunications. It can be measured numerically using different scales, but is often communicated qualitatively as “strong” or “weak”. Factors affecting signal strength include distance and environmental obstacles.
Signal strength is a measure that expresses the quality or value of a particular signal at a certain distance from its source. This is often used in telecommunications regarding wireless network or radio signals, whether across a wide area or local area network. It typically means numerical measurements of signal strength at a given location, and how these signals are measured can vary. Signal strength can also be discussed in terms of strong or weak signal in a particular area.
The term “signal strength” can be used to refer to many different types of signals, although it usually means the magnitude of some form of energy used to send information. For example, radio broadcasts can be received at different locations within a certain radius of the broadcast signal source. The maximum range at which the broadcast can be received and heard by someone with a radio receiver is based on signal strength. Locations closest to the origin of a signal typically receive the strongest signal, while locations further away may receive only a weak signal.
Telecommunications professionals and scientists researching energy and different forms of signals often measure and evaluate signal strength using numerical values. These quantitative measurements indicate the strength of a signal using different scales, although a higher value typically indicates a stronger signal. Both wireless network signals and powerful broadcasts from radio stations can be measured equally in terms of decibels (dB) or milliwatts (mW).
However, these types of values are typically not meaningful to most customers or users of a network, so signal strength is often communicated in general terms as far as qualitative values are concerned. This means that words like “strong” and “weak” are often used to describe the strength of a signal. Signal strength is often expressed in terms of “bars” for wireless phone signals. This relies on the visual interface on many phones which indicates the strength of a signal using a number of bars on the screen.
There are several factors that can affect signal strength, including distance from the signal source and environmental obstacles. Someone might be able to get a wireless phone signal just outside their home, but entering their home or going down stairs to a basement could disturb that signal. Energy waves used in telecommunications can typically be disturbed by other emissions or signals, which means there can be other complications to a signal in some areas. Construction equipment or various electronic devices can interfere with a signal and reduce its strength.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
