A synchronized spread-spectrum local area network

As the number of nodes connected to a local area network increases, the network throughput decreases owing to channel contention. This is conventionally overcome by either upgrading the network channel bandwidth, and hence increasing the data rate, or introducing a hierarchical network structure. This paper describes an adaptation of spreadspectrum communication techniques, used by the military, to a localized network. The resulting system enables multiple simultaneous communications within a channel rather than the conventional single communication. Such a system is capable of retaining communications facilities in a heavily loaded multi-user environment.