Abstract: A code division multiplexing system for a link between components of a satellite communications system is disclosed where, using spread spectrum techniques, channel blocks are each spread by a pre-assigned orthogonal chip-coded waveform. The pre-assigned orthogonal chip-coded waveforms are each preferably chosen according to the origin and destination of the channel block. The channel blocks are each spread over an intermediate frequency and then upconverted such that their spreading bandwidth is equal, or approximately equal, to the allocated bandwidth of the particular link through which they will be transmitted. The channel blocks are spread so they each have the same, or approximately the same, center frequency as the allocated frequency spectrum of the link.