Microcellular direct-sequence spread-spectrum radio system using N-path RAKE receiver

A microcellular local area network (LAN) for indoor communications is proposed using code-division multiple access (CDMA) and differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) for data modulation. The pseudonoise (PN) codes in the transmitters of the base station are mutually synchronized. For this purpose, sets of Gold code sequences having low cross correlation have been found by an exhaustive computer search. Together with wideband measurements of the indoor radio channel at 900 MHz, a five-path RAKE receiver was designed to combat fading effects and to process the time diversity by using multipath signal reception. Each receiver path is demodulated independently. Several methods of diversity combining of these paths have been investigated. Acquisition and tracking of the spreading code in the receiver are controlled by a digital signal processor (DSP). Experimental results of the CDMA system are presented, showing the behavior in a multipath environment