The multiple paths are generally due to which of the following?

• A. The signal traveling along a single direct path.
• B. The signal being reflected from objects.
• C. Satellite clock errors.
• D. Interference from other radio sources.

Answer: (B)

Multipath occurs when the signal from a satellite reaches the receiver after bouncing off surfaces such as buildings, water, or the ground. These reflections create delayed copies of the same signal that travel along different routes and arrive at the receiver at slightly different times. The combination of these signals can interfere with the direct line-of-sight signal, causing errors in the measured range and phase and thus degrading position accuracy.

The other options don’t describe this phenomenon: a single direct path is just the ideal, uncontaminated route; satellite clock errors affect timing measurements themselves rather than producing multiple signal paths; interference from other radio sources adds noise or false signals but doesn’t generate separate reflected paths of the satellite signal.