瑞利衰落信道（Rayleigh fading channel）是一种无线电信号传播环境的统计模型。这种模型假设信号通过无线信道之后，其信号幅度是随机的，表现为“衰落”特性，并且多径衰落的信号包络服从瑞利分布。由此，这种多径衰落也称为瑞利衰落。 这一信道模型能够描述由电离层和对流层反射的短波信道，以及建筑物密集的城市环境。瑞利衰落只适用于从发射机到接收机不存在直射信号的情况，否则应使用莱斯衰落信道作为信道模型。-Rayleigh fading channel, Rayleigh fading channel) is a statistical model of radio signal propagation environment. This model assumes that the signal through a wireless channel, its signal amplitude is random, show the "decline" features, and multipath fading signal envelope obeys Rayleigh distribution. As a result, the multipath fading is also called Rayleigh fading. The channel model can be described by the ionosphere and troposphere reflect shortwave channel, as well as a built-up urban environment. Rayleigh fading is only applicable to direct signal from the transmitter to the receiver does not exist, or rice fading channels as channel models should be used.