Synchronization in a Spread Spectrum Communication Modem based on SAW Convolvers

This paper describes the synchronization process in a spread spectrum burst communication system which is based on the application of surface acoustic wave (SAW) convolvers. The data modulation is binary code shift keying (CSK). For spectrum spreading pseudonoise (PN) direct-sequence (DS) is employed. The performance of the receiver synchronization in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise is analyzed, the measure of performance being the probability of burst loss. Special attention is paid to the effect of code autocorrelation sidelobes on the detection of the synchronization preamble, and a strategy for the elimination of this effect is considered. Theoretical performance is compared with some experimental results obtained with a test modem.