Mathematical Foundation of CDMA
Introduction
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is a digital multiple-access technique
that employs spread spectrum technology, allowing multiple users to share
the same frequency band. Each user is assigned a unique code, and signals are
transmitted using a spread spectrum modulation technique.
Mathematical Formulation
1. Signal Representation in CDMA
Each user i transmits a signal si (t), which is modulated by a unique pseudo-
random (PN) spreading code ci (t). The transmitted signal for user i is
given by:
xi (t) = si (t)ci (t).
The composite signal received at the base station, considering N users, is:
N
X
x(t) = si (t)ci (t) + n(t),
i=1
where n(t) is the channel noise.
2. Orthogonality of Codes
CDMA uses orthogonal spreading codes, such as Walsh codes. These
codes satisfy: (
Z T
1, i = j
ci (t)cj (t)dt =
0 0, i ̸= j
which ensures that signals from different users do not interfere when properly
decoded.
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3. Demodulation Using Correlation
At the receiver, the received signal x(t) is correlated with the spreading code
ck (t) of the desired user:
Z T
rk = x(t)ck (t)dt.
0
Substituting x(t):
N
!
Z T X
rk = si (t)ci (t) + n(t) ck (t)dt.
0 i=1
Since the codes are orthogonal, only the desired user’s signal remains:
Z T
rk = sk (t) + n(t)ck (t)dt.
0
This means that the other users’ signals are suppressed, and only the desired
signal plus noise is retained.
4. Processing Gain and Bit Error Rate (BER)
CDMA benefits from processing gain, given by:
W
Gp = ,
Rb
where:
• W is the spread spectrum bandwidth.
• Rb is the original bit rate before spreading.
The Bit Error Rate (BER) in a CDMA system is approximated by:
r !
Eb
BER ≈ Q Gp ,
N0
where Q(x) is the Q-function, Eb is the energy per bit, and N0 is the noise
power spectral density.
5. Capacity of a CDMA System
The number of users supported in a CDMA system is determined by:
!
W Eb 1
N= ,
Rb N0 1 + NI
0
where I represents the interference from other users.
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Conclusion
CDMA uses spread spectrum, orthogonal codes, and correlation decod-
ing to allow multiple users to communicate simultaneously over the same fre-
quency band. It is robust against interference, provides increased capacity, and
ensures secure communication.