One segment of a patch bay.

1. In communications systems and network topologies, a route between any two points. [From Weik '89]
2. In radio communications, the route that (a) lies between a transmitter and a receiver and (b) may consist of two or more concatenated links.
Note: Examples of paths are line-of-sight paths and ionospheric paths.
3. In a computer program, the logical sequence of… (Read More →)

Synonym path loss.

In microwave line-of-sight communications, the perpendicular distance from the radio-beam axis to obstructions such as trees, buildings, or terrain.
Note: The required path clearance is usually expressed, for a particular k-factor, as some fraction of the first Fresnel zone radius.

See intermodulation noise.

In a communication system, the attenuation undergone by an electromagnetic wave in transit between a transmitter and a receiver.
Note 1: Path loss may be due to many effects such as free-space loss, refraction, reflection, aperture-medium coupling loss, and absorption.
Note 2: Path loss is usually expressed in dB. Synonym path attenuation.

Overhead assigned to and transported with the payload until the payload is demultiplexed. It is used for functions that are necessary to transport the payload. [T1.105-1988]

A graphic representation of the physical features of a propagation path in the vertical plane containing both endpoints of the path, showing the surface of the Earth and including trees, buildings, and other features that may obstruct the radio signal.
Note:Profiles are drawn either with an effective Earth radius simulated by a parabolic arc--in which case the ray paths are… (Read More →)

In a communications path, an analysis that (a) includes the overall evaluation of the component quality measures, the individual link quality measures, and the aggregate path quality measures, and (b) is performed by evaluating communications parameters, such as bit error ratio, signal-plus-noise-plus-distortion to noise-plus-distortion ratio, and spectral distortion.

A data bank that contains path-quality analyses used to support path selection and routing determination.
Note: In adaptive radio automatic link establishment, path quality matrices contain path quality data for single-link and multilink paths.