Spread-spectrum technology for commercial applications

Only recently has our technology advanced to the point that commercial application of spread-spectrum signaling is economically feasible. This has motivated a number of companies and individuals to seek new ways to benefit from spread-spectrum techniques in commercial systems and products. In this paper, we give a very brief overview of spread spectrum signaling. We then consider applications to satellite mobile applications as well as indoor wireless applications. An overview is presented of several proposals to provide worldwide personal communications through satellite-based spread-spectrum systems, the tradeoffs to be considered, and the controversies involved. A description of a high-capacity wireless office telephone system serves to illustrate how spread-spectrum signaling may be useful in this environment. Finally, we describe a number of digital processing algorithms and devices that implement spread spectrum signaling in a cost-effective manner