0-9 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
1. In a communications system, a momentary loss of signal. Note: Dropouts are usually caused by noise, propagation anomalies, or system malfunctions. (188) 2. A failure to read properly a binary character from data storage. Note: A dropout is usually caused by a defect in the storage medium or by a malfunction of the read mechanism. 3. In magnetic tape, disk, card, or drum systems, a recorded signal with an amplitude less than a predetermined percentage of a reference signal. (188)