Increased Capacity Using CDMA for Mobile Satellite Communication

The performance of a spread-spectrum CDMA (code-division multiple access) system in a mobile satellite environment is analyzed. Comparisons to single-channel-per-carrier FDMA systems are presented which show that the CDMA approach provides greater capacity. Results from computer simulations, laboratory tests, and field tests of a prototype modem are also presented. The tests results show excellent performance of the modem in the mobile environment and also the feasibility of the spread-spectrum approach to satellite mobile communications. >