What does power efficiency measure in a transceiver's operation?

Power efficiency in a transceiver's operation primarily measures the percentage of power that is successfully radiated as output. This refers to the ratio of the useful output power, which is the power that is effectively transmitted over the communication channel, to the total input power consumed by the transceiver. A higher power efficiency means that more of the input power is being converted into useful signal output rather than being lost as waste, leading to better performance in terms of range and signal quality.

Understanding this concept is crucial in designing and evaluating communication systems, as it impacts both energy consumption and the overall effectiveness of the transceiver. The ability to maximize the output signal while minimizing power wastage is essential in many applications, especially in energy-sensitive environments like mobile and IoT devices.