Work out attenuation over distance instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Copper attenuation rises with the square root of frequency, which is why a Cat 6 run that loses 1.8 dB per 100 m at 100 MHz loses nearly 2.8 dB at 250 MHz — and why higher-speed standards impose shorter distance limits on the same cable. Fibre attenuation is essentially flat with modulation rate, which is what makes it the choice for long runs.
Attenuation
cable loss = (distance / 100) x loss per 100 m x sqrt(frequency / 100) for copper; total = cable loss + connector loss; power retained = 10^(-loss/10)
Skin effect and dielectric loss both increase with frequency, so the same cable attenuates a 500 MHz signal far more than a 100 MHz one.
A halving of power. Every additional 3 dB halves it again, so 10 dB leaves a tenth and 20 dB leaves a hundredth.