In a received signal, the variation (with time) of the amplitude or relative phase, or both, of one or more of the frequency components of the signal.
Note: Fading is caused by changes in the characteristics of the propagation path with time.

The probability distribution that signal fading will exceed a given value relative to a specified reference level.
Note 1: In the case of phase interference fading, the time distribution of the instantaneous field strength usually approximates a Rayleigh distribution when several signal components of equal amplitude are present.
Note 2: The field strength is usually measured in volts per meter.… (Read More →)

Synonym fade margin.

See failure, graceful degradation.

1. Of a device, the capability to fail without detriment to other devices or danger to personnel.
2. Pertaining to the automatic protection of programs and/or processing systems to maintain safety when a hardware or software failure is detected in a system. [NIS]
3. [The] automatic protection of programs and/or processing systems when hardware or software failure is detected. [INFOSEC-99]… (Read More →)

[The] selective termination of affected nonessential processing, when hardware or software failure is determined to be imminent. [INFOSEC-99]

1. Operation that ensures that a failure of equipment, process, or system does not propagate beyond the immediate environs of the failing entity.
2. A control operation or function that prevents improper system functioning or catastrophic degradation in the event of circuit malfunction or operator error.

The temporary or permanent termination of the ability of an entity to perform its required function.

[An] Unauthorized access to data resulting from a hardware or software failure. [INFOSEC-99]

[The methods] used to detect imminent hardware or software failure and provide fail safe or fail soft recovery. [INFOSEC-99]