Abstract: A multistage linear receiver for extracting data embedded in a received spread-spectrum signal having a plurality of channels using a direct sequence code division multiple access system. The multistage receiver comprises an initial plurality of spread-spectrum detectors, a plurality of detector weighting devices, a first plurality of product devices, a first combiner, a first plurality of spread-spectrum detectors, a first plurality of weight-product devices and an output combiner. The initial plurality of spread-spectrum detectors despreads and delays the plurality of channels to generate a plurality of detector-output signals. The detector weighting devices weight the plurality of detector-output signals with a plurality of detector weights as a plurality of weighted-detector signals.