What is the effect of "multipath fading" in wireless communication?

Multipath fading is a phenomenon that occurs in wireless communication when signals take multiple paths to reach the receiver. This can happen due to reflections from buildings, terrain, or other obstacles, resulting in the same signal arriving at different times and potentially with different phases. The combination of these signals can lead to constructive and destructive interference, which may cause fluctuations in the received signal strength.

Signal degradation occurs when the multiple paths interfere with each other, resulting in a weakened and less reliable signal at the receiver. This issue is particularly problematic in environments with many obstacles or where line-of-sight is disrupted. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the issues of signal loss and degradation caused by this interference, making it critical for engineers to mitigate multipath fading in wireless system design through techniques such as diversity reception, equalization, and advanced modulation schemes.