Average acquisition time for SSMA channels

The acquisition time performance of a two-user spread-spectrum multiple-access system is examined. The acquisition is accomplished using conventional (single-user) correlating/energy-detecting acquisition methods. The intent of the analysis is to determine how much performance penalty is incurred because of the presence of the multiple-user interference. The analysis indicates that for good spreading codes the performance degradation is not severe when the user´s amplitudes are all similar. However, in the presence of significant near/far power differences, the acquisition time increases dramatically. This suggests the need for acquisition methods which explicitly account for the presence of multiple users