What is indicated by "GD" on a signal meter?

The designation "GD" on a signal meter stands for Group Delay. Understanding this term is crucial in telecommunications and signal processing, as it relates specifically to the time delay experienced by different frequency components of a signal as they pass through a system, such as a cable or a satellite link. Group delay can affect the integrity of the signal, particularly with digital communications, where variations in delay can result in distortion in the timing of bits.

When considering data transmission, the consistency of group delay is vital because any irregularity can lead to bit errors or poor performance in terms of signal quality. This is especially important in systems where precise timing is necessary for successful data recovery.

In contrast, other choices focus on terms that are not commonly used in the context of signal meters or do not accurately reflect the implications of group delay. For example, General Distortion may refer to signal quality but does not specifically relate to the time-domain aspect that group delay addresses. Granular Data is not a standard term associated with signal meters, and while Gross Delay could imply latency issues, it does not emphasize the frequency-specific nature of group delay. Thus, Group Delay is the correct interpretation in the context of signal measurements and performance optimization.