Redstone signal strength preserver (compliments compaprator)

A single piece of Redstone dust has 16 possible power levels including zero. This got me thinking since messing around with digital logic with redstone is great fun.

If the total number of possible signal strengths is a factor of two, it would be incredibly useful for making computers if we could store information in the signal strength. The only problem is since it falls off with distance, theres no way to effectively use it over long distance. If a component was added that could preserve the signal strength, or change it, and propagate it for 15 blocks of Redstone at that strength, it would allow for borader use of the mechanic in redstone.

The idea is input on one side increments and input on the other side decrements the total strength that is allowed to pass through, right clicking would mirror the sides, and shift right clicking with a Redstone torch would add a torch to the model, remove the side inputs, and set it to passthrough mode where the signal strength it got in was the signal strength it put out. The output would remain consistent until it abruptly turns off after 15 blocks (alternatively the more basic function could be its default state, and the increment/decrement would need a torch).

I feel like if copper was used in the recipie it would also be visually distinct from other components. Its functionality would allow for more compact redstone math and for signal strength based multiplexing. Its behaviors also compliment the comparator very well.