Signallatenz

Signallatenz, or signal latency, is the time delay between the initiation of a signal and the observable effect of that signal at the destination. In practice, it encompasses all delays experienced by a signal as it travels through a system or network, and is a key component of the broader concept of latency. In German-language contexts, Signallatenz is often used interchangeably with Latenz or Verzögerungszeit, though the exact terminology can vary by field.

The total Signallatenz arises from several sources. Propagation delay is the time it takes for the signal to traverse the physical medium, depending on distance and the signal’s propagation speed. Transmission delay depends on the data rate and the amount of information being sent. Processing delay includes time spent by devices performing tasks such as encoding, decoding, or error checking. Queuing delay occurs when signals wait in buffers or routers during congestion. Encoding, decoding, and protocol overhead can add further delays. Jitter describes the variability of latency over time, which is particularly important for real-time applications.

Measurement of Signallatenz typically involves one-way latency or round-trip time, using tools such as time-stamped packets, network probes, or high-resolution oscilloscopes. Applications sensitive to latency include real-time communications (VoIP, video conferencing), interactive gaming, control systems, and streaming. Latency values vary widely: local area networks often measure in sub-millisecond to a few milliseconds, while wide-area networks commonly range from several to tens or hundreds of milliseconds; fiber-optic propagation alone can contribute roughly 5 microseconds per kilometer, with additional delays from routing and processing.

Reducing Signallatenz involves optimizing path length, increasing bandwidth, reducing processing overhead, employing edge computing, improving protocols, and using jitter buffers or prioritization to meet quality-of-service requirements.