Abstract: In a wireless communication system which includes a synchronization signal generator which generates a synchronization sequence, an RF transmitter which transmits the synchronization signal, and one or more receiver that receives the signal, where the synchronization sequence employs M PN codes of the same length that are repeated in a pseudo-random fashion for N code periods. Each receiver incorporates M filters matched to the M PN codes whose outputs are post detection combined in a manner consistent with the pseudo-random code transmission sequence to provide signal detection and synchronization. In another aspect, the synchronization sequence employs M time-shifted versions of a PN code that are repeated in a pseudo-random fashion for N code periods and each receiver incorporates a filter matched to the unshifted PN code and whose output samples are post detection combined in a manner consistent with the pseudo-random code transmission sequence to provide signal detection and synchronization.

Abstract: Data packets are selected for simultaneous transmission to multiple users using a transmitter with limited transmission power by first establishing transmission power requirements for each user, receiving in a queue a plurality of data packets for transmission to one or more users, and selecting one or more data packets for transmission in a composite burst with cumulative power for the selective packets not exceeding the limited transmission power. Data packets are selected for sequential composite bursts until all data packets in the queue have been transmitted, at which time transmission ceases until more incoming packets arrive at the queue. In selecting data packets for transmission, data packets which have previously been delayed in transmission can be given priority as well as priority based on quality of service subscribed by each user. Additionally a predetermined priority weight can be assigned to data packets and used for selection.

Abstract: An ODS-CDMA communications system is disclosed with at least one hub station and a plurality of user terminals. Each user is assigned a code which is orthogonal to all of the other user codes. The orthogonal code period is chosen such that the code repeats an integer number of times in a data symbol time and the code is synchronized with the symbol transitions so that no data transitions occur within the code. Thus, the selection of an orthogonal code book which enables a high rate data to be spread using shorter code words, and conversely, low data rate to be spread using longer code words, all of which remain mutually orthogonal.

Abstract: Data packets are selected for simultaneous transmission to multiple users using a transmitter with limited transmission power by first establishing transmission power requirements for each user, receiving in a queue a plurality of data packets for transmission to one or more users, and selecting one or more data packets for transmission in a composite burst with cumulative power for the selective packets not exceeding the limited transmission power. Data packets are selected for sequential composite bursts until all data packets in the queue have been transmitted, at which time transmission ceases until more incoming packets arrive at the queue. In selecting data packets for transmission, data packets which have previously been delayed in transmission can be given priority as well as priority based on quality of service subscribed by each user. Additionally a predetermined priority weight can be assigned to data packets and used for selection.

Abstract: A spread spectrum OCDMA communication system in which multiple base stations or beams from a satellite are deployed in a “cellular” coverage structure, system capacity is increased by dividing the available spectrum into non-overlapping frequency segments which are assigned to different cells in a frequency reuse pattern to provide greater system capacity than full frequency reuse in each cell.

Abstract: A spread spectrum CDMA communication system in which base stations communicate with a plurality of subscriber terminals located in different beams of a multi-beam satellite relay system. A base station transmits a signal for each beam which is comprised of a set of orthogonally spaced subcarriers, each of which is modulated by a set of orthogonal functions which are overlaid with a pseudo-noise (PN) sequence forming a coded spreading sequence for an information signal. Each orthogonal function carries data for a single user in the beam. Selected carrier signals are modulated with information signals onto the subcarriers to form a beam signal. The available frequency spectrum is divided into non-overlapping segments which are assigned to different beams in a 1:N.sub.ru frequency reuse pattern. Each subscriber terminal has a receiver which coherently demodulate the base station signal. A PN spreading code, P2, with chipping rate N.sub.ru .chi.R.sub.

Abstract: A star configured multiple access radio communication system wherein a hub station communicates, in time division multiplex mode, with a plurality of remote subscriber stations by a forward link signal path and the remote subscriber stations communicate with the hub on a return link signal path and wherein all received return link signals are time synchronous, and all signals possess the same time division multiplex structure in which a portion of the signal is dedicated to time synchronization. Each remote subscriber station has a synchronization burst sequence generator, each generated burst sequence is constructed such that the time tracking and synchronization process of each return link is relatively unaffected by all other remote stations. At the hub station there is a delay discrimi-nator for each remote subscriber, each delay discriminator includes a first and a second channel. The first channel has a one symbol delay device, a matched filter, and a squaring circuit.

Abstract: A spread spectrum CDMA communication system in which a base station communicates with a plurality of subscriber terminals and the base signal transmitted by the base station is comprised of a set of substantially orthogonal functions which are overlaid with a pseudo-noise (PN) sequence forming a coded spreading sequence for an information signal, each orthogonal function of the set carries data for a single user in the system. Information signals are modulated onto the carrier to form a transmit signal and the coded spreading sequence on the transmit signal for broadcasting, each subscriber terminal having a receiver for coherently demodulating the base station signal. A plurality of correlators, each respectively tuned to different functions of the orthogonal signal set, are each followed by an appropriate nonlinearity for removing the data modulation. The summed output of the correlators is used to improve the estimate of carrier phase over that obtained with a single correlator.

Abstract: The OCDMA waveform of the present invention uses hi-phase PN modulation (BPSK PN chip modulation) in conjunction with MPSK or MQASK data modulation (QPSK data modulation is one preferred embodiment) to increase bandwidth efficiency. The number of orthogonal users that can be placed on a single carrier is equal to, at most, the length of the orthogonal binary sequence. The Radamacher-Walsh (RW) sequence chip rate must be 4" times the symbol rate (where n is a positive integer) since the symbol transitions must be synchronized to the RW period to guarantee orthogonality of the multiple users when data transitions are present. The symbol rate for QPSK modulation is one-half that for BPSK modulation. As a result, twice as many orthogonal functions are available for a given clock rate for QPSK as for BPSK modulation. That is, an OCDMA system with QPSK data can support twice as many users in a given bandwidth as an OCDMA system with BPSK data.

Abstract: The OCDMA waveform of the present invention uses bi-phase PN modulation (BPSK PN chip modulation) in conjunction with MPSK or MQASK data modulation (QPSK data modulation is one preferred embodiment) to increase bandwidth efficiency. The number of orthogonal users that can be placed on a single carrier is equal to, at most, the length of the orthogonal binary sequence. The Radamacher-Walsh (RW) sequence chip rate must be 4.sup.n times the symbol rate (where n is a positive integer) since the symbol transitions must be synchronized to the RW period to guarantee orthogonality of the multiple users when data transitions are present. The symbol rate for QPSK modulation is one-half that for BPSK modulation. As a result, twice as many orthogonal functions are available for a given clock rate for QPSK as for BPSK modulation. That is, an OCDMA system with QPSK data can support twice as many users in a given bandwidth as an OCDMA system with BPSK data.

Abstract: An OCDMA satellite communication system in which an earth-based hub station receives, via a satellite, a plurality of spread spectrum signals from a corresponding plurality of earth-based subscriber stations on a selected frequency channel, each signal from a subscriber station being composed of data symbols overlaid with one set of orthogonal Rademacher-Walsh (RW) functions and a pseudo-noise PN sequence, the signals from subscriber stations being synchronized to arrive at the hub station in time and frequency synchronism. A subscriber station net entry channel (NEC) is comprised of a transmitter function at the subscriber stations for transmitting a spread spectrum NEC signal located in a spectral null of the OCDMA signals between the earth-based hub station and the subscriber stations.

Abstract: A satellite network communication system in which a plurality of subscriber handset terminals communicate with a ground hub station on traffic frequency channels using spread spectrum orthogonal CDMA transmissions. The hub station includes a control generator for generating a net entry control channel for communicating synchronization correction signals (timing, frequency and power) to subscriber handset terminals and a return link receiver. Each subscriber handset terminal has a subscriber unit control channel receiver for receiving the control channel synchronization correction signals and a subscriber unit return link transmitter connected to receive the synchronization correction signals so that signals from all subscriber handset terminals arrive at the hub station in time, power and frequency synchronism. The subscriber unit return link transmitter includes frequency hopped spread spectrum carrier such that none of the signals occupies the same frequency bin at the same time.

Abstract: In an orthogonal code division multiple access (OCDMA) radio communication system having at least one base station and a plurality of remote subscriber terminals, the improvement comprising the method of reducing the sensitivity of OCDMA to access noise due to time base error and multipath delay spread comprising (1) reducing the size of the orthogonal signal set on a single carrier, and (2) providing additional carriers with orthogonal frequency spacing for additional subscriber capacity.