What is VSWR/ what is Return Loss? What is the difference between them?
VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio) and Return Loss are both a measure of the same parameter but expressed in two different ways. VSWR is the amount of signal reflected by a connector or antenna, which is the major factor contributing to the total signal efficiency of a connector or antenna. Return Loss is the portion of a signal that is lost due to a reflection of power at a line discontinuity (where a change is made from say a cable to a connector, or a connector to an antenna). Return loss is a logarithmic measurement, so it is very useful when displaying very small reflections. On the other hand, VSWR is the ratio of voltage applied to voltage reflected. VSWR is a linear measurement, so it is more useful when displaying larger reflections since small differences are not compressed as they are in a logarithmic measurement (e.g. Return Loss).
