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Depending on certain parameters, we would have different types of fading. Parameters such as
Signal parameters (Transmission Signal Bandwidth, Symbol Period). Channel parameters (RMS
Delay Spread, Doppler Spread).
In general, the time-dispersion and frequency dispersion mechanisms in a Mobile Radio Channel
(MRC) are subcategorized into 4 distinct effects depending on the nature of the transmitted
signal, the channel, and velocity.
We first talk about Small-Scale Fading based on Multipath Delay Spread:
1. Flat Fading.
2. Frequency Selective.
* Flat Fading:
In an MRC that has linear phase and constant gain over a BW of a channel that is larger than the
BW of the signal Flat Fading occurs. The spectral characterization is preserved. Only Strength
varies over time (because of gain fluctuation due to the multipath nature).
Conversely, the symbol period (reciprocal of the BW of the Signal Bs) is much larger than the
multipath Delay Time Spread, hence the impulse response of the baseband signal is
approximated as a narrow delta function with no excess delay
Flat Fading channels are known as amplitude varying channels or narrowband channels (BW of
applied signal Bs is narrow compared to BW of the Channel) Bs << Bc (Bc is coherence BW)
Ts >> (rms delay spread)
in flat fading, the BW of the channel is larger than the BW of the signal. The channel is approximated as a
delta function with no excess delay. Symbol period is much larger than the multipath delay spread.
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* Frequency Selective Fading:
If an MRC possesses a linear phase and constant gain over a BW that is smaller than the BW of a
signal. In this case, the channel impulse response has a multipath delay spread that is larger
than the symbol period. The received signal has a multiple of attenuated and delayed in time
versions of the signal. Therefore the gain of some of those signals would be higher than others,
hence the Frequency selectivity of this type of fading. Frequency selective fading is due to time
dispersion of the transmitted symbols within the channel. And the channel induces InterSymbol
interference (ISI).
The transmitted signal has BW Bs that is larger than the coherence BW Bc of the channel.
Frequency selective channels are wideband (since the signal is wide compared to the channel)
As time varies, r(t) caries in time causing the signal to vary in gain and phase across the
spectrum of s(t). Giving rise to time-varying distortion in the received signal r(t) Bs >> Bc
Ts << 10 to
allow the channel to be
called frequency selective\




* Next summary is for Fast and Slow fading (due to Doppler Spread)
Reference: Theodore Rappaport Wireless Communications - Principles and Practice