equalization

A form of conditioning that reduces the frequency distortion or phase distortion, or both, in an electrical signal on a metallic conductor or in a radio signal traveling through the atmosphere. Equalization compensates for the differences in signal attenuation and delay associated with different frequency components. Around a center frequency, relatively high frequency signals attenuate more than relatively low frequency signals over a distance, so an equalizer may reduce (cut) the amplitude of the low frequency signals and increase (boost) the amplitude of the high frequency signals in order that the signals at the receiver are in the same relative balance as they were at the transmitter. Adaptive equalizers automatically adjust to levels of distortion that vary as the signal path or its characteristics change over time. See also amplitude, attenuation, delay, distortion, phase, and signal.