4. Insertion of in-line energy dissipation

With the exception of energy losses in the internal resistance of sources and load impedances, power dissipation in a transmission line is directly related to the electrical conductivity of the conductors and the imperfection of the dielectric materials used as primary insulation. In fact, there are two possible causes of power dissipation in dielectrics: one stems from conduction currents generated in certain insulators, the second from thermal losses caused by forced dipolar oscillations of the molecules making up the polymers.

If we assume that these losses remain low in relation to the local power transported or installed in a line, we can correct the primary parameters by adding a resistance and a linear conductance. The wave equation thus transformed gives rise to a complex propagation constant, the real part of which represents the signal attenuation referred...