Performance of CDMA random access systems with packet combining in fading channels

We analyze the system performance of code-division multiple-access (CDMA) random access systems with linear receivers and packet combing in multipath fading channels. Both slotted and unslotted CDMA systems with random spreading codes are considered. The analysis is based on large systems in which both the offered load and the processing gain tend to infinity but their ratio is fixed. It is relatively easy to characterize the traffic in such large systems, which enables us to derive the system throughput and average delay. From the analysis results, it is observed that multiuser detection and packet combining substantially improve the system performance.