A dropout is a momentary loss of
signal
A signal is both the process and the result of transmission of data over some media accomplished by embedding some variation. Signals are important in multiple subject fields including signal processing, information theory and biology.
In ...
in a
communications system, usually caused by
noise
Noise is sound, chiefly unwanted, unintentional, or harmful sound considered unpleasant, loud, or disruptive to mental or hearing faculties. From a physics standpoint, there is no distinction between noise and desired sound, as both are vibrat ...
,
propagation anomalies, or system malfunctions. For
analog signals, a dropout is frequently gradual and partial, depending on the
cause. For
digital signal
A digital signal is a signal that represents data as a sequence of discrete values; at any given time it can only take on, at most, one of a finite number of values. This contrasts with an analog signal, which represents continuous values; ...
s, dropouts are more pronounced, usually being sudden and complete, due to the
cliff effect. In
mobile telephony, a dropout of more than a few
seconds will result in a
dropped call.
References
*
Communication
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