In digital communications, what does the term 'latency' refer to?

In digital communications, 'latency' refers to the delay that occurs before data starts to transfer from one point to another. This delay can be influenced by various factors, including processing time, propagation delays (the time it takes for signals to travel over a medium), and queuing time as data packets wait in line to be transmitted.

Understanding latency is crucial because it can significantly impact the performance of applications, particularly those requiring real-time interaction, such as video calls or online gaming. A low latency is desirable for these types of applications, as it ensures more immediate communication and responses.

The other options relate to different aspects of communication systems. The strength of a received signal pertains to signal quality and is vital for maintaining connection integrity. The speed at which data is transmitted refers to the data rate or throughput, indicating how much data can be sent in a given time frame. The amount of data that can be transmitted deals with bandwidth, which measures the capacity of a communication link. While these factors are significant in evaluating communication systems, they do not define 'latency.'