What type of fading is caused by phase interference of two or more waves from the same source arriving at the receiver over slightly different paths?

Interference fading occurs when waves from the same source take multiple paths to reach the receiver, arriving at slightly different times. This phenomenon is a result of constructive and destructive interference, where the overlapping waves can combine in ways that enhance or diminish the signal strength at the receiver.

When waves take different paths—due to reflections or refractions—they may encounter variations in distance, which leads to differences in phase. If the waves arrive in phase, they can strengthen each other, resulting in a higher signal. Conversely, if the waves arrive out of phase, they can cancel each other to some degree, leading to a drop in signal strength. This variability can contribute significantly to the quality of the signal being received, causing what is termed interference fading.

The other types of fading mentioned—absorption fading, skip fading, and polarization fading—are caused by different factors unrelated to the phase interference of waves from the same source. Absorption fading relates to the loss of signal strength due to the medium it travels through, skip fading is caused by reflection off the ionosphere or other surfaces and thus involves changes in path rather than phase interference, and polarization fading occurs due to mismatches in the orientation of the transmitting and receiving antennas. Each of these has its own