Editing Intersymbol interference (section)

=== Multipath propagation ===
{{Main|Multipath propagation}}
One of the causes of intersymbol interference is [[multipath propagation]] in which a wireless signal from a transmitter reaches the receiver via multiple paths. The causes of this include [[reflection (physics)|reflection]] (for instance, the signal may bounce off buildings), [[refraction]] (such as through the [[foliage]] of a tree) and atmospheric effects such as [[atmospheric ducting]] and [[ionospheric reflection]]. Since the various paths can be of different lengths, this results in the different versions of the signal arriving at the receiver at different times. These delays mean that part or all of a given symbol will be spread into the subsequent symbols, thereby interfering with the correct detection of those symbols. Additionally, the various paths often distort the [[amplitude]] and/or [[phase (waves)|phase]] of the signal, thereby causing further interference with the received signal.