The condition that prevails in a device or system when distortion of the signal caused by dispersion, i.e., waveguide dispersion and material dispersion, limits its performance or the performance of the device or system to which it is connected. Note: An example of bit-rate · length-product-limited operation is operation in which intersymbol interference at the receiving end is the predominant mechanism that limits link performance. See also bandwidth-limited operation,  condition,  device,  dispersion,  distortion,  intersymbol interference,  link,  material dispersion,  operation,  receive,  signal,  system,  waveguide dispersion.