What does a higher return loss indicate in a transmission system?

A higher return loss is an important metric in a transmission system, indicating better signal quality. Return loss measures how much of the signal is reflected back towards the source rather than transmitted through the system. When the return loss is high, it suggests that less signal energy is being reflected, which means more of the signal is successfully transmitted to its destination. This results in clearer, more reliable communication, as there is less interference from reflected signals that can distort the original message.

In practical terms, a higher return loss is desirable because it indicates that the transmission line or system is well-matched to the impedance of the connected devices. This minimizes losses and ensures effective energy transfer, leading to improved performance in signal integrity.