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CDMA - Introduction

What is CDMA?
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is a digital cellular technology used for
mobile communication. CDMA is the base on which access methods such as
cdmaOne, CDMA2000, and WCDMA are built. CDMA cellular systems are
deemed superior to FDMA and TDMA, which is why CDMA plays a critical role
in building efficient, robust, and secure radio communication systems.

A Simple Analogy
Let’s take a simple analogy to understand the concept of CDMA. Assume we
have a few students gathered in a classroom who would like to talk to each
other simultaneously. Nothing would be audible if everyone starts speaking
at the same time. Either they must take turns to speak or use different
languages to communicate.

The second option is quite similar to CDMA — students speaking the same
language can understand each other, while other languages are perceived as
noise and rejected. Similarly, in radio CDMA, each group of users is given a
shared code. Many codes occupy the same channel, but only those users
associated with a particular code can communicate.

Salient Features of CDMA

CDMA, which is based on the spread spectrum technique has following salient
features −

 In CDMA, every channel uses the full available spectrum.

 Individual conversations are encoded with a pseudo-random digital sequence and

then transmitted using a wide frequency range.

 CDMA consistently provides better capacity for voice and data communications,
allowing more subscribers to connect at any given time.
  CDMA is the common platform on which 3G technologies are built. For 3G, CDMA
uses 1x EV-DO and EV-DV.

Third Generation Standards

CDMA2000 uses Frequency Division Duplexing-Multicarrier (FDD-MC) mode.
Here, multicarrier implies N × 1.25 MHz channels overlaid on N existing IS-
95 carriers or deployed on unoccupied spectrum. CDMA2000 includes −

 1x — uses a spreading rate of 1.2288 Mcps.

 3x — uses a spreading rate of 3 × 1.2288 Mcps or 3.6864 Mcps.

 1xEV-DO (1x Evolution – Data Optimized) — uses a spreading rate of 1.2288

Mcps, optimized for the data.

 WCDMA/FDD-DS — Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) Frequency Division Duplexing-

Direct Sequence spreading (FDD-DS) mode. This has a single 5 MHz channel.
WCDMA uses a single carrier per channel and employs a spreading rate of 3.84
Mcps.

CDMA Development Group (CDG)

The CDMA Development Group (CDG), founded in December 1993, is an
international consortium of companies. It works together to lead the growth
and evolution of advanced wireless telecommunication systems.

CDG is comprised of service providers, infrastructure manufacturers, device

vendors, test equipment vendors, application developers, and content
providers. Its members jointly define the technical requirements for the
development of complementary systems CDMA2000 and 4G. Further, the
interoperability with other emerging wireless technologies are meant to
increase the availability of wireless products and services to consumers and
businesses worldwide.
IMT-2000 System

CDMA - Channels
CDMA channels can be broadly categorized as Forward channel and Reverse
channel. This chapter explains the functionalities of these channels.

Forward Channel
The Forward channel is the direction of the communication or mobile-to-cell
downlink path. It includes the following channels −

 Pilot Channel − Pilot channel is a reference channel. It uses the mobile station
to acquire the time and as a phase reference for coherent demodulation. It is
continuously transmitted by each base station on each active CDMA frequency.
And, each mobile station tracks this signal continuously.

 Sync Channel − Synchronization channel carries a single, repeating message,

which gives the information about the time and system configuration to the
mobile station. Likewise, the mobile station can have the exact system time by
the means of synchronizing to the short code.

 Paging Channel − Paging Channel’s main objective is to send out pages, that is,
notifications of incoming calls, to the mobile stations. The base station uses these
 pages to transmit system overhead information and mobile station specific
messages.

 Forward Traffic Channel − Forward Traffic Channels are code channels. It is

used to assign calls, usually voice and signaling traffic to the individual users.

Reverse Channel
The Reverse channel is the mobile-to-cell direction of communication or the
uplink path. It consists of the following channels −

 Access Channel − Access channel is used by mobile stations to establish a

communication with the base station or to answer Paging Channel messages. The
access channel is used for short signaling message exchanges such as call-ups,
responses to pages and registrations.

 Reverse Traffic Channel − Reverse traffic channel is used by the individual

users in their actual calls to transmit traffic from a single mobile station to one or
more base stations.

CDMA - Multiple Access Methods

The possibility to operate in either FDD or TDD mode is allowed for efficient
use of available spectrum according to frequency allocation in different
regions.

Frequency Division Duplex

A duplex method whereby the Uplink and the Downlink transmissions use two
separate frequency bands −

 Uplink − 1920 MHz to 1980 MHz

 Downlink − 2110 MHz to 2170 MHz

 Bandwidth − Each carrier is located on the center of a 5 MHz wide band

Channel Separation
Nominal value of 5 MHz that can be adjusted.

Channel Raster
200 kHz (center frequency must be a multiple of 200 kHz).
Tx-Rx Frequency Separation
Nominal value of 190 MHz. This value can be either fixed or variable
(minimum of 134.8 and maximum of 245.2 MHz).

Channel Number
The carrier frequency is designated by the UTRA Absolute Radio Frequency
Channel Number (UARFCN). This number is sent by the network (for the
uplink and downlink) on the BCCH logical channel and is defined by Nu = 5 *
(Frequency uplink MHz) and ND = 5 * (Frequency downlink MHz).

Time Division Duplex

Time division duplex is a technique by which the Uplink and the Downlink
transmissions are carried over the same frequency by using synchronized
time intervals. The carrier uses a 5 MHz band, although there is a low chip
rate solution under study by the 3GPP (1.28 Mcps). The available frequency
bands for TDD will be 1900–1920 MHz and 2010 – 2025 MHz.

Duplex Methods of Radio Links

In case of Time Division Duplex, the forward link frequency is same as the
reverse link frequency. In each link, signals are transmitted continuously in
turns − just like a ping-pong game.
Example of TDD System
TDD uses a single frequency band for both to transmit and to receive. Further,
it shares the band by assigning alternate timeslots for transmitting and
receiving operations. The information to be transmitted can be voice, video,
or computer data in bit-serial format. Each time interval can be 1 byte long
or may be a part of several bytes.

TDD alternates the transmission and reception station data over time.
Timeslots can be of variable length. Due to the nature of high-speed data,
the communicating parties cannot mean that the transmissions are
intermittent. Transmissions that appear as simultaneous are actually
competing each other. Digitally converted into analog voice, no one can say
that it is not a full duplex.

In some TDD systems, alternative time intervals are of same duration or

having both DL and UL; however, the system does not need to be symmetric
50/50. The system may be asymmetrical as required.
For example, while accessing the Internet, the download speed is usually
higher than the upload speed. Most of the equipment work on asynchronous
mode where the download speed is higher than the upload speed. When the
download speed is higher than the upload speed, less timeslots are needed
for uploading. Some TDD formats offer dynamic bandwidth allocation when
the number of time intervals or durations is changed on the fly as needed.

The real advantage of TDD is that it is only a single channel of the frequency
spectrum and it doesn’t require band guards or channel separations as the
intervals take place using timeslots. The disadvantage is that the successful
implementation of TDD requires a timing system. The precise timing to both
the transmitter and the receiver is needed to ensure that the time intervals
do not overlap or interfere with another.

Timing is often synchronized to GPS atomic clock standards specific

derivative. The guard time is also needed between timeslots to avoid
duplication. This time is generally equal to the transmission-reception
processing time (transmission-reception switching time) and the
transmission delays (latency) on the communications channel.

Frequency Division Duplex

In Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), the forward link frequency is not the
same as the reverse link frequency. In each link, signals are continuously
transmitted in parallel.

Example of FDD System

FDD requires two symmetrical segments of spectrum for the uplink and
downlink channels.
In a cell phone with a transmitter and receiver, operating simultaneously in
such close proximity, the receiver has to filter as much of the signal from the
transmitter as possible. More separation of the spectrum, the most effective
filters.

FDD uses a lot of frequency spectrum, generally twice of the required TDD
spectrum. In addition, there must be adequate spectrum separation between
transmission and reception of the channels. These bands keep saying − it
cannot be used, they are unnecessary. Given the scarcity and cost of the
spectrum, they are real disadvantages.

Use of FDD
FDD is widely used in different cellular telephone systems. In some systems,
the band 869-894 MHz is used as the downlink (DL) spectrum from the cell
site tower to the device. And, the band 824-849 MHz is used as the uplink
(UL) spectrum of the handset at the cell site.

FDD also works on a cable where transmit and receive channels are given
different parts of the cable spectrum, as in cable TV systems. And, filters are
used to keep the channels separate.

Disadvantage of FDD
The drawback of FDD is that it does not allow special techniques like multiple
antennas, multiple input-output (MIMO), and beamforming. These
technologies are an essential element of the new strategies Long Term
Evolution (LTE) 4G cell phone to increase the data rate. It is difficult to make
broad enough bandwidth to cover both sets of antenna spectrum. Circuit
complex dynamic adjustment is required.

Multiple Access Methods

The radio channel is a communication medium shared by several users in a
geographic area. Mobile stations are in competition with one another for the
frequency resource to transmit their information flow. Without other
measures to control concurrent access of several users, collisions can occur.
Since collisions are undesirable for connection oriented communication such
as mobile phones, personal/mobile subscriber stations need to be allocated
the dedicated channels on request.

The mobile communication, sharing wireless resources on all users, must be

communicated to identify the user. While identifying the user, it is referred
to as "multiple access" (Multiple Access) that is receiving a radio wave of a
number of transmitting stations in a receiving station (as shown in the
following image).

FDMA - Technology
Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) is one of the most common
analogue multiple access methods. The frequency band is divided into
channels of equal bandwidth so that each conversation is carried on a
different frequency (as shown in the figure below).
FDMA Overview
In FDMA method, guard bands are used between the adjacent signal spectra
to minimize crosstalk between the channels. A specific frequency band is
given to one person, and it will received by identifying each of the frequency
on the receiving end. It is often used in the first generation of analog mobile
phone.

Advantages of FDMA
As FDMA systems use low bit rates (large symbol time) compared to average
delay spread, it offers the following advantages −

 Reduces the bit rate information and the use of efficient numerical codes increases
the capacity.

 It reduces the cost and lowers the inter symbol interference (ISI)

 Equalization is not necessary.

 An FDMA system can be easily implemented. A system can be configured so that

the improvements in terms of speech encoder and bit rate reduction may be easily
incorporated.

 Since the transmission is continuous, less number of bits are required for
synchronization and framing.
Disadvantages of FDMA
Although FDMA offers several advantages, it has a few drawbacks as well,
which are listed below −

 It does not differ significantly from analog systems; improving the capacity
depends on the signal-to-interference reduction, or a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

 The maximum flow rate per channel is fixed and small.

 Guard bands lead to a waste of capacity.

 Hardware implies narrowband filters, which cannot be realized in VLSI and

therefore increases the cost.

TDMA - Technology
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) is a digital cellular telephone
communication technology. It facilitates many users to share the same
frequency without interference. Its technology divides a signal into different
timeslots, and increases the data carrying capacity.

TDMA Overview
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) is a complex technology, because it
requires an accurate synchronization between the transmitter and the
receiver. TDMA is used in digital mobile radio systems. The individual mobile
stations cyclically assign a frequency for the exclusive use of a time interval.

In most of the cases, the entire system bandwidth for an interval of time is
not assigned to a station. However, the frequency of the system is divided
into sub-bands, and TDMA is used for the multiple access in each sub-band.
Sub-bands are known as carrier frequencies. The mobile system that uses
this technique is referred as the multi-carrier systems.

In the following example, the frequency band has been shared by three users.
Each user is assigned definite timeslots to send and receive data. In this
example, user ‘B’ sends after user ‘A,’ and user ‘C’ sends thereafter. In this
way, the peak power becomes a problem and larger by the burst
communication.
FDMA and TDMA
This is a multi-carrier TDMA system. A 25 MHz frequency range holds 124
single chains (carrier frequencies 200) bandwidth of each kHz; each of these
frequency channels contains 8 TDMA conversation channels. Thus, the
sequence of timeslots and frequencies assigned to a mobile station is the
physical channels of a TDMA system. In each timeslot, the mobile station
transmits a data packet.

The period of time assigned to a timeslot for a mobile station also determines
the number of TDMA channels on a carrier frequency. The period of timeslots
are combined in a so-called TDMA frame. TDMA signal transmitted on a
carrier frequency usually requires more bandwidth than FDMA signal. Due to
the use of multiple times, the gross data rate should be even higher.

Advantages of TDMA
Here is a list of few notable advantages of TDMA −

 Permits flexible rates (i.e. several slots can be assigned to a user, for example,
each time interval translates 32Kbps, a user is assigned two 64 Kbps slots per
frame).

 Can withstand gusty or variable bit rate traffic. Number of slots allocated to a user
can be changed frame by frame (for example, two slots in the frame 1, three
slots in the frame 2, one slot in the frame 3, frame 0 of the notches 4, etc.).

 No guard band required for the wideband system.

 No narrowband filter required for the wideband system.

Disadvantages of TDMA
The disadvantages of TDMA are as follow −

 High data rates of broadband systems require complex equalization.

 Due to the burst mode, a large number of additional bits are required for
synchronization and supervision.

 Call time is needed in each slot to accommodate time to inaccuracies (due to clock
instability).

 Electronics operating at high bit rates increase energy consumption.

 Complex signal processing is required to synchronize within short slots.

CDMA - Technology
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is a sort of multiplexing that facilitates
various signals to occupy a single transmission channel. It optimizes the use
of available bandwidth. The technology is commonly used in ultra-high-
frequency (UHF) cellular telephone systems, bands ranging between the 800-
MHz and 1.9-GHz.

CDMA Overview
Code Division Multiple Access system is very different from time and
frequency multiplexing. In this system, a user has access to the whole
bandwidth for the entire duration. The basic principle is that different CDMA
codes are used to distinguish among the different users.

Techniques generally used are direct sequence spread spectrum modulation

(DS-CDMA), frequency hopping or mixed CDMA detection (JDCDMA). Here, a
signal is generated which extends over a wide bandwidth. A code
called spreading code is used to perform this action. Using a group of codes,
which are orthogonal to each other, it is possible to select a signal with a
given code in the presence of many other signals with different orthogonal
codes.
How Does CDMA Work?
CDMA allows up to 61 concurrent users in a 1.2288 MHz channel by
processing each voice packet with two PN codes. There are 64 Walsh codes
available to differentiate between calls and theoretical limits. Operational
limits and quality issues will reduce the maximum number of calls somewhat
lower than this value.

In fact, many different "signals" baseband with different spreading codes can
be modulated on the same carrier to allow many different users to be
supported. Using different orthogonal codes, interference between the signals
is minimal. Conversely, when signals are received from several mobile
stations, the base station is capable of isolating each as they have different
orthogonal spreading codes.

The following figure shows the technicality of the CDMA system. During the
propagation, we mixed the signals of all users, but by that you use the same
code as the code that was used at the time of sending the receiving side. You
can take out only the signal of each user.

CDMA Capacity
The factors deciding the CDMA capacity are −
  Processing Gain

 Signal to Noise Ratio

 Voice Activity Factor

 Frequency Reuse Efficiency

Capacity in CDMA is soft, CDMA has all users on each frequency and users
are separated by code. This means, CDMA operates in the presence of noise
and interference.

In addition, neighboring cells use the same frequencies, which means no re-
use. So, CDMA capacity calculations should be very simple. No code channel
in a cell, multiplied by no cell. But it is not that simple. Although not available
code channels are 64, it may not be possible to use a single time, since the
CDMA frequency is the same.

Centralized Methods
 The band used in CDMA is 824 MHz to 894 MHz (50 MHz + 20 MHz separation).

 Frequency channel is divided into code channels.

 1.25 MHz of FDMA channel is divided into 64 code channels.

Processing Gain
CDMA is a spread spectrum technique. Each data bit is spread by a code
sequence. This means, energy per bit is also increased. This means that we
get a gain of this.

P (gain) = 10log (W/R)

W is Spread Rate

R is Data Rate

For CDMA P (gain) = 10 log (1228800/9600) = 21dB

This is a gain factor and the actual data propagation rate. On an average, a
typical transmission condition requires a signal to the noise ratio of 7 dB for
the adequate quality of voice.

Translated into a ratio, signal must be five times stronger than noise.

Actual processing gain = P (gain) - SNR

= 21 – 7 = 14dB

CDMA uses variable rate coder

The Voice Activity Factor of 0.4 is considered = -4dB.

Hence, CDMA has 100% frequency reuse. Use of same frequency in

surrounding cells causes some additional interference.

In CDMA frequency, reuse efficiency is 0.67 (70% eff.) = -1.73dB

Advantages of CDMA
CDMA has a soft capacity. The greater the number of codes, the more the
number of users. It has the following advantages −

 CDMA requires a tight power control, as it suffers from near-far effect. In other
words, a user near the base station transmitting with the same power will drown
the signal latter. All signals must have more or less equal power at the receiver

 Rake receivers can be used to improve signal reception. Delayed versions of time
(a chip or later) of the signal (multipath signals) can be collected and used to
make decisions at the bit level.

 Flexible transfer may be used. Mobile base stations can switch without changing
operator. Two base stations receive mobile signal and the mobile receives signals
from the two base stations.

 Transmission Burst − reduces interference.

Disadvantages of CDMA
The disadvantages of using CDMA are as follows −

 The code length must be carefully selected. A large code length can induce delay
or may cause interference.

 Time synchronization is required.

 Gradual transfer increases the use of radio resources and may reduce capacity.

 As the sum of the power received and transmitted from a base station needs
constant tight power control. This can result in several handovers.
 CDMA - Network
CDMA Network is the system meant to regulate CDMA technology. It includes
all aspects and functionality starting from the base station, transmitting
antenna, receiving antenna, to mobile switching centers.

CDMA Network Overview

A base station is an essential element of the CDMA network. A base station
covers a small geographical area called a cell. A cell may be omnidirectional
or sectoral. Each base station has a transmitting antenna and two receiving
antennas for each cell. Two receiving antennas are used per cell for the
purpose of spatial diversity. In many applications, it is a BSC (Base Station
Controller), which controls several base stations.

As the rate of the mobile phone data is either 13kbps or 8kbps, which is
nonISDN, but the switches which are the mobile switching center (MSC) are
generally switched to 64 kbps. Therefore, before it is switched, it is necessary
to convert this mobile data rates to 64 kbps. This is accomplished by a
member, which is the transcoder. The transcoder may be a separate
element or it can be collocated in each base station or MSC.

All base stations are connected to the MSC, which is

the mobile switching center. MSC is the entity that manages the
establishment, connection, maintenance, and disposal of calls within the
network and also with the outside world.
MSC also has a database called HLR/AC, which is a home location
register/authentication center. HLR is the database, which maintains the
database of all network subscribers. AC Authentication Centre is the part of
the security of the HLR, which some algorithms to examine mobile phones.

The MSC is connected to the outside world, i.e. the fixed line network. MSC
can also be connected to several other MSCs.

CDMA Identities
Network Identities −

 SID (System Identity)

 NID (Network Identity)

Mobile Station Identities −

 ESN (Electronic Serial Number)

 Permuted ESN

 IMSI (International Mobile Station Identity)

 IMSI_S

 IMSI_11_12

 Station Class Mark

System and Network Identity

A base station is a member of a cellular system and a network. A network is
a subset of a system. The systems are installed with an identification
called Identification System (CIS). The networks with a system receiving
is Network identification (NID). It is a uniquely identified network pair of
(SID, NID). The mobile station has a list of one or more home (non-roaming)
pairs (SID, NID).

SID
A system identification indicator 15 bits (SID) is stored in a mobile station. It
is used to determine the host system of the mobile stations. The bit allocation
of the system identification indicator is shown below.
The distribution of international codes (INTL) (bits 14 and 13) is also shown
in the table. Bits 12-0 is assigned to each US system by the FCC for non-US
countries. The bit allocation will be made by local regulatory authorities.

NID
NID has a range of 0-65535 reserved values. Value of 65535 in a SID means,
NID pair is to indicate that the Mobile Station considers the entire SID as
home.

Systems and Networks

A mobile station has a list of one or more home (non-roaming) pairs (SID,
NID). A mobile station is roaming when the base station broadcast (SID, NID)
pair does not match with one of the non-roaming mobile stations (SID, NID)
pairs.

A mobile station is a foreign NID roamer −

 if the mobile station is roaming and there are some (SID, NID) pair in the mobile
stations (SID, NID) list that corresponds to SID.

 if the mobile station is roaming and there are some (SID, NID) pair in the mobile
stations (SID, NID) list for which no matching SID is available (means a mobile
station has roaming customer foreign SID).

Electronic Serial Number (ESN)

ESN is a 32-bit binary number that uniquely identifies the mobile station in a
CDMA cellular system. It should be set at the factory and cannot be easily
changed in the field. Changing the ESN will require special equipment, not
normally available to subscribers. The bit allocation of ESN is shown below −
The circuit that provides the ESN must be isolated so that no one can contact
and tamper. Attempts to change the ESN circuit should make the mobile
station inoperative. At the time of the issuance of the initial acceptance, the
manufacturer must be assigned a code Manufacturers (MFR) in the eight most
significant bits (bits 31-24 bits) 32-bit serial number. Bits 23-18 are reserved
(initially zero). And, every manufacturer only allocates 17 bits to 0. When a
manufacturer has used almost all possible combinations of serial numbers in
bits 17-0, the manufacturer may submit a notification to the FCC. The FCC
will assign the next sequential binary number in the reserve block (bits 23
through).

Permuted ESN
CDMA is a spread spectrum technique where multiple users to access the
system at the same example in a cell, and of course on the same frequency.
Therefore, it discriminates the users on the reverse link (i.e. information from
MS to the base station). It spreads information using codes that are unique
to the mobile station in all the CDMA cellular systems. This code has an
element that is the ESN, but it doesn’t use the ESN in the same format
instead, it uses an ESN swapped.

If there are two mobiles in a cell of the same brand and have consecutive
serial numbers and for the receiver of the base station, it becomes difficult to
connect them. Therefore, to avoid a strong correlation between the long
codes corresponding to successive ESN, we use permuted ESNs.

International Mobile Station Identity (IMSI)

Mobile stations are identified by the identity of the international mobile
station Identity (IMSI). The IMSI consists of up to 10 to 15 numeric digits.
The first three digits of the IMSI are the country code of the mobile (MCC),
the remaining digits are the National NMSI mobile station identity. The NMSI
consists of the mobile network code (MNC) and the mobile station
identification number (SIDS).

MCC MSN MSIN

NMSI
 IMSI ≤15 digits

 MCC: Mobile Country Code

 MNC: Mobile Network Code

 MSIN: Mobile Station Identification

 NMSI: National Mobile Station Identity

An IMSI that is 15 digits in length is called a class 0 IMSI (NMSI is the 12

digits in length). IMSI, which is less than 15 digits in length, is called a class
1 IMSI (NMSI the length is less than 12 counts). For CDMA operation, the
same IMSI may be registered in multiple mobile stations. Individual systems
may or may not allow these capabilities. The management of these functions
is a function of the base station and the system operator.

CDMA - Techniques

Rake Receiver
Due to the reflection on the challenges of a broadband, radio channel can
consists of many copies (multipath), signals originally transmitted with
different amplitude, phase, and delay. If the signal components arrive over a
chip period of each other, a rake receiver may be used to adjust and combine.
The Rake receiver uses a principle of diversity through multiple paths. The
figure given below shows the Rake receiver scheme.
The Rake receiver processes several multipath signals components. The
correlator outputs are combined to achieve better reliability and
communication performance. Bit decision on the basis of a single correlation
can produce a large bit error rate as multipath component processed by the
fact that the correlator can be damaged by discoloration. If the output of a
correlator is corrupted by fading, the other cannot be, and the corrupt signal
can be reduced by the weighting process.

Walsh Code
Walsh Codes are most commonly used in the orthogonal codes of CDMA
applications. These codes correspond to lines of a special square matrix called
the Hadamard matrix. For a set of Walsh codes of length N, it consists of n
lines to form a square matrix of n × n Walsh code.

The IS-95 system uses 64 Walsh function matrix 64. The first line of this
matrix contains a string of all zeros with each of the following lines containing
different combinations of bit 0 and 1. Each line is orthogonal and equal
representation for binary bits. When implemented with the CDMA system,
each mobile user uses one of the 64 sequences of rows in the matrix as a
spreading code. And, it provides zero cross-correlation among all the other
users. This matrix is defined recursively as follows −

Where n is a power of 2 and indicates the different dimensions of the matrix

W. Further, n represents the logic NOT operation on all bits in this matrix.
The three matrices W2, W4, and W8, respectively show the Walsh function for
the dimension 2, 4, and 8.

Each line of the 64 Walsh matrix 64 corresponds to a channel number. The

channel number 0 is mapped to the first row of the Walsh matrix, which is
the code of all zeros. This channel is also known as the pilot channel and is
used to form and to estimate the impulse response of a mobile radio channel.

To calculate the cross-correlation between the sequences, we will need to

convert the bits into the matrix to form the antithesis of ± 1 values. However,
all users on the same CDMA channel can be synchronized with an accuracy
of one chip interval using a common long PN sequence. It also functions as a
data scrambler.

 Walsh Code is a group of spreading codes having good autocorrelation properties

and poor cross correlation properties. Walsh codes are the backbone of CDMA
systems and are used to develop the individual channels in CDMA.

 For IS-95, there are 64 codes available.

o Code `0’ is used as the pilot and code `32’ is used for synchronization.
 o Codes 1 through 7 are used for control channels, and the remaining codes
are available for traffic channels. Codes 2 to 7 are also available for traffic
channels if they are not needed.

 For cdma2000, multitude of Walsh codes exist, which vary in length to

accommodate the different data rates and Spreading Factors of the different
Radio Configurations.

 One of the 64 orthogonal bit pattern at a rate of 1.2288 Mcps.

 Walsh codes are used to identify the data for each individual transmission. In the
forward link, they define forward code channels within a CDMA frequency.

 In the reverse link, all 64 codes are used by each reverse channel to carry
information.

Take a look at the following illustration. It shows how multiplexing is carried

out using Walsh Code.

CDMA - Spread Spectrum

All technical modulation and demodulation strive for greater power and/or
efficiency of bandwidth in a white Gaussian additive stationary noise channel.
Since bandwidth is a limited resource, one of the primary design goals of all
the modulation schemes is to minimize the bandwidth required for
transmission. On the other hand, spread spectrum techniques use a
transmission bandwidth that is order of the magnitude greater than the
bandwidth required the minimum signal.

The advantage of spread spectrum technique is that — many users can

simultaneously use the same bandwidth without interfering with each other.
Therefore, spread spectrum is not economic when the number of users is
less.

 Spread spectrum is a form of wireless communications in which the frequency of

the transmitted signal is deliberately varied resulting higher bandwidth.

 Spread-spectrum is apparent in the Shannon and Hartley channel-capacity

theorem −

C = B × log2 (1 + S/N)

 In the given equation, `C’ is the channel capacity in bits per second (bps), which
is the maximum data rate for a theoretical bit-error rate (BER). ‘B’ is the required
channel bandwidth in Hz, and S/N is the signal-to-noise power ratio.

 Spread spectrum uses wideband, noise-like signals that are hard to detect,
intercept, or demodulate. Additionally, spread-spectrum signals are harder to jam
(interfere with) than narrow band signals.

 Since spread-spectrum signals are so wide, they transmit at a much lower spectral
power density, measured in watts per hertz, than narrow band transmitters.
Spread-spectrum and narrowband signals can occupy the same band, with little
or no interference. This capability is the main attraction for all the interest in
spread spectrum today.

Points to Remember −

 The transmitted signal bandwidth is greater than the minimal information

bandwidth, which is needed to transmit the signal successfully.

 Some function other than the information itself is normally employed to determine
the resultant transmitted bandwidth.

Following are the two types of spread spectrum techniques −

 Direct Sequence and

 Frequency Hopping.
Direct Sequence is adopted by CDMA.

Direct Sequence (DS)

Direct Sequence Code Division Multiple Access (DS-CDMA) is a technique to
multiplex users by different codes. In this technique, the same bandwidth is
used by different users. Each user is assigned with one its own spreading
code. These sets of codes are divided into two classes −

 Orthogonal Codes and

 Non-Orthogonal Codes

Walsh sequences come into the first category which is Orthogonal Codes
whereas other sequences i.e. PN, Gold, and Kasami are shift register
sequences.

Orthogonal codes are assigned to the users, the output of the correlator in
the receiver will be zero except the desired sequence. In synchronous direct
sequence, the receiver receives the same code sequence which was
transmitted so that there is no time shift between the users.
Demodulating DS Signals - 1
In order to demodulate DS signals, you need to know the code that was used
at the time of transmission. In this example, by multiplying the code used in
the transmission to the reception signal, we can get the transmitted signal.

In this example, multiple codes were used at the time of transmission

(10,110,100) to the received signal. Here, we have calculated by using the
law of two additives (Modulo 2 Addition). It is further demodulated by
multiplying the code that was used at the time of this transmission, called
the reverse diffusion (de-spreading). In the diagram given below, it can be
seen that during the transmission of the data to the narrow band (Narrow
Band) spectrum, the spectrum of the signal is dispread.

Demodulating DS Signals − 2
On the other hand, if you do not know the code that was used at the time of
transmission, you will not be able to demodulate. Here, you are trying to
demodulation in the code of different (10101010) and the time of
transmission, but it has failed.

Even looking at the spectrum, it is spreading during the time of transmission.

When it is passed through a band-pass filter (Band Path Filter), only this small
signal remains and these are not demodulated.
Features of Spread Spectrum
As shown in the following figure, the power density of Spread Spectrum
signals could be lower than the noise density. This is a wonderful feature that
can keep the signals protected and maintain privacy.

By spreading the spectrum of the transmitted signal, one can reduce its
power density such that it becomes less than the power density of the noise.
In this way, it is possible to hide the signal in the noise. It can be demodulated
if you know the code that was used to send the signal. In case the code is
not known, then the received signal will remain hidden in the noise even after
the demodulation.

DS-CDMA
DS code is used in CDMA. So far, it has been explained basic part of the
spread spectrum communication. From here, we will explain how Direct
Sequence Code Division Multiple Access (DS-CDMA) works.

The signal which is spread spectrum, can be demodulated only by a code

used for transmission. By using this, the transmission signal of each user can
be identified by the separate code when it receives the signal. In the given
example, the spread signal of the user A at the code A, and diffused signal of
user B at code B. Each of the signal when it receives are mixed. However, by
the inverse diffuser (Despreadder), it identifies the signal of each user.

DS-CDMA System - Forward Link

DS-CDMA System - Reverse Link

Spreading Code
Cross-Correlation

Correlation is a method of measurement of how precisely a given signal

matches with a desired code. In CDMA technology, each user is assigned with
a different code, the code which is being assigned or chosen by the user is
very important to modulate the signal because it is related to the performance
of the CDMA system.

One will get best performance when there will be clear separation between
the signal of desired users and signals of the other users. This separation is
made by correlating the desired signal code which was locally generated and
other received signals. If the signal matches with the code of the user, then
the correlation function will be high and the system can extract that signal.
If the user's desired code has nothing in common with the signal, the
correlation should be as close to zero as possible (thus eliminating the
signal); also known as cross correlation. So, there is a self-
correlation (Self-Correlation) and cross-correlation (Cross-Correlation).

Properties of self-correlation and code are shown in the diagram given below
where correlation between spreading code ‘A’ and spreading code ‘B’ is
shown. In this example, the calculated correlation of spreading code ‘A
(1010110001101001) and spreading code ‘B’ (1010100111001001) is given,
while performing calculations in below example, the result has come to 6/16.

Preferable Codes

Preferable code is used in CDMA. There are different codes that can be used
depending on the type of a system of CDMA. There are two types of system
−

 Synchronous (Synchronous) System and

 Asynchronous (Asynchronous) System.

In a synchronous system, orthogonal codes (Orthogonal Code) can be used.

In asynchronous system for this, such as pseudo-random code (Pseudo-
random Noise) or Gold code is used.

In order to minimize mutual interference in DS-CDMA, the spreading codes

with less cross-correlation should be chosen.

Synchronous DS-CDMA

 Orthogonal Codes are appropriate. (Walsh code etc.)

Asynchronous DS-CDMA
  Pseudo-random Noise (PN) codes/Maximum sequence

 Gold Codes

Synchronous DS-CDMA

Synchronous CDMA Systems are realized in Point to Multi-point Systems. For

example, Forward Link (Base Station to Mobile Station) in Mobile Phone.

Synchronization system is used in one-to-many (Point to Multipoint) systems.

For example, at a given time, in a mobile communication system, a single
base station (BTS) can communicate with multiple cell phones (forward
link/downlink).

In this system, a transmission signal for all the users can communicate in
synchronization. Means, "Synchronization" on this point is a sense that can
be sent to align the top of each user signal. In this system, it is possible to
use orthogonal codes and it is also possible to reduce mutual interference.
And orthogonal codes, it is the sign, such as cross-correlation i.e. 0.

Asynchronous DS-CDMA

In asynchronous CDMA system, orthogonal codes have bad cross-correlation.

Unlike the signal from the base station, the signal from the mobile station to
the base station, becomes the asynchronous system.

In an asynchronous system, somewhat mutual interference increases, but it

uses the other codes such as PN code or Gold code.

Advantages of Spread Spectrum

Since the signal is spread over a wide frequency band, the power spectral
density becomes very low, so other communication systems do not suffer
from this kind of communication. However, the Gaussian noise increases.
Given below is a list of a few major advantages of Spread Spectrum −

 Multipath can be agreed with, as a large number of codes can be generated,

allowing a large number of users.

 In spread spectrum, there is no limit of users whereas there is limitations of users

in FDMA technology.

 Security − without knowing the spreading code, it is hardly possible to recover

the transmitted data.

 Descending rejection − as large bandwidth is used the system; it is less

susceptible to deformation.

PN Sequence
The DS-CDMA system uses two types of spreading sequences, i.e., PN
sequences and orthogonal codes. As mentioned above, the PN sequenc is
generated by the pseudo-random noise generator. It is simply a binary linear
feedback shift register, consisting of XOR gates and a shift register. This PN
generator has the ability to create a sequence identical for both the
transmitter and the receiver, and retaining the desirable properties of
the noise randomness bit sequence.

A PN sequence has many features such as having an almost equal number of

zeros and ones, very low correlation between shifted versions of the
sequence, and very low cross-correlation with other signals such as
interference and noise. However, it is able to correlate well with itself and its
inverse. Another important aspect is the autocorrelation of the sequence as
it determines the ability to synchronize and lock the spreading code for the
received signal. This fight effectively effects the multiple interference and
improves the SNR. M-sequences, Gold codes, and Kasami sequences are the
examples of this class of sequences.

 A Pseudo-random Noise (PN) sequence is a sequence of binary numbers, e.g. ±1,

which appears to be random; but it is in fact, perfectly deterministic.

 PN sequences are used for two types of PN spread spectrum techniques −

o Direct Signal Spread Spectrum (DS-SS) and

o Frequency Hop spread Spectrum (FH-SS).

 If ‘u’ uses PSK for modulating the PN sequence, it results in DS-SS.

 If ‘u’ uses FSK for modulating the PN sequence, it results in FH-SS.

Frequency Hopping Technology

Frequency hopping is a spread spectrum in which the propagation takes place
by hopping in frequency over a wide band. The precise order in which the
break occurs is determined by a hopping table generated by using a pseudo-
random code sequence.

Hopping rate is a function of the speed information. The order of frequencies

is selected by the receiver and is dictated by the pseudo-random noise
sequence. Although the transmission of a frequency hopping signal spectrum
is quite different from that of a direct sequence signal, it suffices to note that
the data is distributed over a signal band is larger than necessary to carry.
In both the cases, the resulting signal will appear as noise and the receiver
uses a similar technique, which is used in the transmission to recover the
original signal.

CDMA - Fading
In wireless communications, fading is the deviation of the signal attenuation
affecting a certain propagation media. Discoloration may vary with time, the
geographical position or frequency of the radio, which is often modeled as a
random process. A fading channel is a communication channel experiencing
fading.
Multipath Fading
In wireless systems, fading can be either due to multipath, called
as multipath fading or due to shadowing from obstacles affecting the
wave propagation, known as shadow fading. Here in this chapter, we will
discuss how multipath fading affects the reception of signals in CDMA.

Fading in CDMA System

CDMA systems use a signal fast chip rate for spreading the spectrum. It has
a high time resolution, due to which it receives a different signal from each
path separately. The RAKE receiver prevents signal degradation by summing
all the signals.
Because CDMA has high time-resolution, different paths delay the CDMA
signals, which can be discriminated. Therefore, energy from all paths can be
summed by adjusting their phases and path delays. This is a principle of RAKE
receiver. By using a RAKE receiver, it is possible to improve the loss of the
received signal due to fading. It can ensure a stable communication
environment.

In CDMA systems, multi-path propagation improves the signal quality by

using RAKE receiver.

CDMA - Near-Far Problem

Near-far problem is one of the major problems that hurts mobile
communications badly. In a CDMA system, mutual interference will determine
the majority of SN ratio of each user.

How Near-Far Problem Affects

Communication?
The following illustration shows how near-far problem affects communication.

As shown in the illustration, user A is far away from the receiver and user B
is close to the receiver, there will be big difference between desired signal
power and interfered signal power. Desired signal power will be much higher
than the interfered signal power and hence SN ratio of user A will be smaller
and communication quality of user A will be severely degraded.

CDMA - Power Control

In CDMA, since all the mobiles transmit at the same frequency, the internal
interference of the network plays a critical role in determining network
capacity. Further, each mobile transmitter power must be controlled to limit
the interference.
Power control is essentially needed to solve the near-far problem. The main
idea to reduce the near-far problem, is to achieve the same power level
received by all mobiles to the base station. Each received power must be at
least level, so that it allows the link to meet the requirements of the system
such that Eb/N0. To receive the same power level at the base station, the
mobiles those are closer to the base station should transmit less power than
the mobiles which are far away from the mobile base station.

In the figure given below, there are two mobile cells A and B. A is closer to
the base station and B is far from the base station. Pr is the minimum signal
level for the performance of the required system. Therefore, the mobile B
should transmit more power to achieve the same Pr to the base station
(PB>PA). If there is no power control, in other words, the transmission power
are the same from both the mobile cells, the signal received from A is much
stronger than the signals received from mobile cell B.

When all mobile stations transmit the signals at the same power (MS), the
received levels at the base station are different from each other, which
depend on the distances between BS and MSs.

The received level fluctuates quickly due to fading. In order to maintain the
received level at BS, a suitable power control technique must be employed in
CDMA systems.

We need to control the transmission power of each user. This control is called
the transmission power control (Control Power). There are two ways to
control the transmission power. First is the open-loop (Open Loop) control
and second is closed-loop (Closed Loop) control.
Reverse Link Power Control
In addition to the near-far effect described above, the immediate problem is
to determine the transmit power of the mobile when it first establishes a
connection. Until the mobile does not come in contact with the base station,
it has no idea of the amount of interference in the system. If it attempts to
transmit high power to ensure contact, then it can introduce too much
interference. On the other hand, if the mobile transmits less power (not to
disturb other mobile connections), the power cannot meet the Eb/N0 as
required.

As specified in the IS-95 standards, mobile acts when it wants to get into the
system, it sends a signal called access.

In CDMA, each user's transmission power is allocated by the control power to

achieve the same power (Pr) which is received by the base station/BTS with
access probe with low power. The mobile sends its first access probe, then
waits for a response from the base station. If it receives no response, then
the second access probe is sent with a higher power.

The process is repeated until the base station responds. If the signal
answered by the base station is high, then the mobile gets connected with
the base station which is closer to the mobile cell with low transmission
power. Similarly, if the signal is weak, the mobile knows the path loss is
greater and transmits high power.

The process described above is called open loop power control since it is
controlled only by the mobile itself. Open loop power control starts when the
first mobile attempts to communicate with the base station.

This power control is used to compensate for the slow variables shading
effects. However, since the rear and forward links are on different
frequencies, the estimate transmit power does not give accurate solution for
the power control because of the path loss to the front of the base station.
This power control fails or too slow for fast Rayleigh fading channels.

The power of closed loop control is used to compensate for the rapid Rayleigh
discoloration. This time, the mobile transmit power is controlled by the base
station. For this purpose, the base station continuously monitors the reverse
link signal quality. If the quality of the connection is low, it tells the mobile to
increase its power; and if the quality of the connection is very high, the mobile
base station controller reduces its power.

Forward Link Power Control

Similar, to reverse link power control, forward link power control is also
necessary to maintain the forward link quality to a specified level. This time,
the mobile monitors the forward link quality and indicates to the base station
to turn on or off. This power control has no effect on the near-far problem.
All the signals are blurred together at the same level of power when they get
to the mobile. In short, there is no near-far problem in the forward link.

Effect of Power Control

By transmission power control, the user can obtain a constant communication
environment regardless of the location. The user who is far from the base
station sends a higher transmission power than the user who is nearer to the
base station. Also by this transmission power control, you can reduce the
effects of fading. This means that the variation of the received power due to
fading can be suppressed by the transmission power control.
  Power control is capable of compensating the fading fluctuation.

 Received power from all MS are controlled to be equal.

 Near-Far problem is mitigated by the power control.

CDMA - Frequency Allocation

The major capacity advantage of CDMA is that it reuses the same allocated
frequency in every sector of every cell. In IS-136 and analog cellular systems,
there is a seven cell repeat factor, with three sectors. This means that only
one out of every 21 channels is available to each sector. CDAM is designed
to share the same frequency in each sector of each cell. For each user that
uses cdma2000 coding rather than IS-95, the system is more efficient.

In FDMA or TDMA, radio resource is allocated not to interfere among neighbor

cells −

 Neighbor cells cannot use the same (identical) frequency band (or timeslot).

 The left figure shows the simple cell allocation with seven bands of frequency.

In actual situation, because of complicated radio propagation and irregular

cell allocation, it is not easy to allocate frequency (or timeslot) appropriately.
In a CDMA system against this, since all users share the same frequency, the
arrangement of the frequency is not an issue. This is the biggest advantage
of CDMA technology.

In CDMA, identical radio resource can be used among all cells, because CDMA
channels use same frequency simultaneously.
  Frequency allocation in CDMA is not necessary.

 In this sense, CDMA cellular system is easy to design.

CDMA - Handoff
Whenever a cellular subscriber passes through one base station to another,
the network automatically switches to the other respective base station and
maintains the coverage responsibility. This behavior called "hand-off"
(Handoff) or "hand-over" (Handover).

Whereas in FDMA and TDMA systems, it uses a different frequency to

communicate with the base station of that area. It means, there will be a
frequency switch from one frequency to another, and during the switching,
there will be slightly communication cut, which is called as "hard
handoff"(Hard Handoff) or "hard handover" (Hard Handover).

Hard Handoff
In FDMA or TDMA cellular system, a new communication can be established
after breaking the current communication at the moment of handoff.
Communication between MS and BS breaks at the time of switching the
frequency or timeslot.
Soft Handoff
Cellular systems track mobile stations in order to maintain their
communication links. When mobile station goes to a neighbor cell, the
communication link switches from the current cell to the neighbor cell.

When a mobile enters in a new area (from the base station to another base
station), the mobile is the second pilot of sufficient power by sending the
message to the strength of the driver to the first base station. The base
station notifies the MTSO and then the MTSO requests new Walsh code
assignment of the second base station.

 The first base station controls with new progressive transfer Walsh assignment
MTSO then sends land link to the second base station. Mobile is powered by two
base stations and MTSO selects the best quality status for every 20 ms.

 The power goes low at the mobile station by the first BS and mobile sends a pilot
strength message then the first BS transmission stops and releases the channel.
And, traffic channel continues on the second base station.

 In CDMA cellular system, communication does not break even at the moment
doing handoff, because switching frequency or timeslot is not required.

Note − A Walsh sequence is a part of Orthogonal Codes, whereas other

sequences such as PN, Gold, and Kasami are shift register sequences. In case
orthogonal codes are assigned to the users, the output of the correlator in
the receiver will be zero except the desired sequence, whereas synchronous
direct sequence receiver receives the same code sequence which was
transmitted, so there is no time shift between the users.

CDMA - Interferences
A CDMA signal experiences high interference signals other than the CDMA
users. This takes two forms of interference — interference from other users
in the same minicell and interference from the adjacent cells. The total
interference also includes the background noise and other spurious signals.

CDMA is based on the use of a spread spectrum form of modulation to encode

a signal for its transmission and retrieval.

Noise Sources
In the spread spectrum technology, the radio signals are distributed on a
single 1.23 MHz wide frequency band. Each subscriber has assigned PN
codes. Signals corresponding to the PN codes are decoded and processed.
Signals that do not contain the code matches are treated as noise and
ignored.

Signal Processing: Receive

CDMA starts with an encoded narrowband signal; this spreads with the use
of the PN codes to a bandwidth of 1.23 MHz.

When the signal is received, it is filtered and processed to recover the desired
signal. A correlator eliminates sources of interference because they are
uncorrelated with the desired signal treatment. Using this method, the
number of CDMA calls can occupy the same frequency spectrum
simultaneously.

Frame Error Rate

The number of transmission errors, measured in terms of frame error rate
(FER). It increases with the number of calls. To overcome this problem, the
minicell and mobile site can increase the power until either the mobile or the
minicell site can power up more further to reduce FER to an acceptable
amount. This event provides a soft limit calls from a particular minicell and
depends on −

 The noise floor naturally occurring and man-made interference.

  Interference from calls on this minicell.

 Interference from calls on other cells.

Power per Walsh Code

The power control bit is used during call processing to maintain the relative
power of each individual active traffic channel and power up or down to
maintain acceptable FER measurements by the mobile on the channel. This
power is expressed in terms of digital gain units.

The following actions can be seen in the transmit path −

 The low bit rate digital voice packet from PSU2 (packet switch unit 2 in the 5ESS
switch) is spread by a Walsh code in the minicell.

 The RF transmit carrier frequency is modulated by the spread signal.

 The direct sequence spread spectrum signal is transmitted.

The following actions can be seen in the receive path −

 The direct sequence spread spectrum signal is received.

 The signal is demodulated by using the RF receive carrier frequency.

 The signal dispreads by using the same Walsh code.

 A bit detector restores the decoded signal to a reasonable representation of

original speech pattern.

CDMA - Questions and Answers

. What is CDMA?

CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access. It is a wireless technology

used in transmission of signals from places with high Security and noise
reduction. The principle of Spread Spectrum is used to work with CDMA.
Spread signal is below the noise level and noise has no effect on the signal.
CDMA is not a frequency specific to each user, instead, every channel uses
the full available spectrum. Individual conversations are encoded with a
pseudo-random digital sequence. A unique code is received by all mobile
network users and is allowed continuous network access instead of
intermittent or timed access.
2. Explain CDMA Development Group (CDG).

CDG is comprised of service providers, infrastructure manufacturers, device

vendors, test equipment vendors, application developers, and content
providers. Its members jointly define the technical requirements for the
development of complementary systems CDMA2000 and 4G and
interoperability with other emerging wireless technologies to increase the
availability of wireless products and services to consumers and businesses
worldwide.

3. What is Forward Channels in CDMA?

The forward channel CDMA is the direction of the communication or mobile-

to-cell downlink path.

4. How many Channels are there in CDMA Forward Channels?

Forward channel consists of four channels which includes −

 Pilot Channel,

 Sync Channel,

 Paging Channel, and

 Forward Traffic Channels.

5. Explain Pilot Channel.

Pilot channel is a reference channel using the mobile station to acquire the
time and as a phase reference for coherent demodulation. It is continuously
transmitted by each base station on each active CDMA frequency. Each
mobile station tracks this signal continuously.

6. Explain Sync Channel.

Synchronization channel carries a single repeating message and transmits

the synchronization configuration information and the system of the mobile
station in the CDMA system.

7. Explain Paging Channel.

Paging Channels’ main objective is to send out pages, that is, notifications of
incoming calls, to the mobile stations. The base station uses these pages to
transmit system overhead information and mobile station specific messages.
8. Explain Forward Traffic Channel.

Forward Traffic Channels are code channels and used to assign calls, usually
voice and signaling traffic to the individual users.

9. What is Reverse Channels in CDMA?

The Reverse CDMA channel is the mobile-to-cell direction of the

communication or uplink path.

10. How many Channels are there in CDMA Reverse Channels?

Reverse channel is consists of two channels which includes −

 Access Channels and

 Reverse Traffic Channels.

11. Explain Access Channels.

Access channels are used by mobile stations to establish communications

with the base station or to answer Paging Channel messages. The access
channel is used for short signaling message exchanges such as call-ups,
responses to pages, and registrations.

12. Explain Reverse Traffic Channels.

Reverse traffic channels are used by individual users in their actual calls to
transmit traffic from a single mobile station to one or more base stations.

13. Explain the CDMA Capacity.

The factors deciding capacity are −

 Processing Gain,

 Signal to Noise Ratio,

 Voice Activity Factor, and

 Frequency Reuse Efficiency.

Capacity in CDMA is soft, CDMA has all users on each frequency and users
are separated by code. This means, CDMA operates in the presence of noise
and interference. In addition, neighboring cells use the same frequencies,
which means no re-use. So, CDMA capacity calculations should be very
simple. No code channels in a cell, multiplied by no cells. But it is not that
simple. Although not available code channels are 64, it may not be possible
to use a single time, since the CDMA frequency is the same. Flexible capability
means that all the code channels can be pursued at a time, but at the expense
of quality.

14. Describe the Centralized Methods in CDMA.

 The band used in CDMA is 824 MHz to 894 MHz (50 MHz + 20 MHz separation);

 Frequency channel is divided into code channels; and

 1.25 MHz of FDMA channel is divided into 64 code channels.

15. Explain Processing Gain in CDMA.

P (gain) = 10log (W/R)

W is Spread Rate

R is Data Rate

For CDMA P (gain) = 10log (1228800/9600)

= 21dB

Actual processing gain = P (gain) - SNR

= 21 – 7 = 14dB

CDMA uses variable rate coder

The Voice Activity Factor of 0.4 is considered = -4dB.

CDMA has 100% frequency reuse. Use of same frequency in surrounding cells
causes some additional interference.

In CDMA, frequency reuse efficiency is 0.67 (70% eff.) = -1.73dB

16. What are the CDMA Identities?

Network Identities −

 SID (System Identity)

 NID (Network Identity)

Mobile Station Identities −

 ESN (Electronic Serial Number)

  Permuted ESN

 IMSI (International Mobile Station Identity)

 IMSI_S

 IMSI_11_12

 Station Class Mark

17. What is ESN (Electronic Serial Number)?

The ESN is a 32-bit binary number that uniquely identifies the mobile station
in a CDMA cellular system.

18. What is Permuted ESN? Explain.

CDMA is a spread spectrum technique where multiple users to access the

system at the same example in a cell, and of course on the same frequency.
Therefore, discriminate the users on the reverse link (i.e. information from
MS to the base station). It spreads information using codes that are unique
to the mobile station in all the CDMA cellular systems. This code has an
element that is the ESN. But it doesn’t use the ESN in the same format;
instead, it uses an ESN swapped.

19. What is International Mobile Station Identity (IMSI)?

MCC MSN MSIN

NMSI

IMSI ≤15 digits

 MCC: Mobile Country Code

 MNC: Mobile Network Code

 MSIN: Mobile Station Identification

 NMSI: National Mobile Station Identity

20. What is the Function of IMSI?

The mobile stations are identified by the identity of the international mobile
station (IMSI). The IMSI consists of up to 10 tons - 15 numerical characters
(0-9). The first three digits of the IMSI is the country code of the mobile
(MCC), the remaining digits are the National NMSI mobile station identity.

The NMSI consists of the mobile network code (MNC) and the mobile station
identification number (SIDS). An IMSI is 15 digits in length is called a class
0 IMSI (NMSI is the 12 digits in length). IMSI, which is less than 15 digits in
length, is a class called IMSI (NMSI the length is less than 12 counts).

For CDMA operation, the same IMSI may be registered in multiple mobile
stations. Individual systems may or may not allow these capabilities. The
management of these functions is a function of the base station and the
system operator.

21. What is FDD and what are the Frequencies it uses?

Frequency Division Duplex is one of the multiple access methods in wireless

technology; it uses following frequency bands −

Uplink: 1920 MHz - 1980 MHz and

Downlink: 2110 MHz - 2170 MHz.

22. What is TDD and what are the Frequencies it uses?

TDD is Time Division Duplex. A duplex method by which the Uplink and the
Downlink transmissions are carried over the same frequency using
synchronized time intervals. The carrier uses a 5 MHz band, although there
is a low chip rate solution under study by the 3GPP (1.28 Mcps). The available
frequency bands for TDD will be 1900-1920 MHz and 2010-2025 MHz.

23. What is FDMA? Explain.

Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) is one of the most common

analogue multiple access methods. The frequency band is divided into
channels of equal bandwidth so that each conversation is carried on a
different frequency. Guard bands are used between the adjacent signal
spectra to minimize crosstalk between the channels.

24. What are the Advantages of FDMA?

In FDMA when the channel is not used, it is the channel bandwidth while rest
simply is relatively narrow (30 KHz), known as System narrowband. Little or
no equalization is needed. For broadcasting, time symbols are suitable
analogue links. Framing for FDMA or synchronization bits are not needed for
the tight filter streaming. It is required to minimize the combined interference
of FDD.

25. What are the Disadvantages of FDMA?

 It does not differ significantly from analog systems; improving the capacity
depends on the signal-to-interference reduction, or a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

 The maximum flow rate per channel is fixed and small.

 Guard bands lead to a waste of capacity.

 Hardware implies narrowband filters, which cannot be realized in VLSI and

therefore increases the cost.

26. What is TDMA? Explain.

Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) is a complex technology, because it

requires a very accurate synchronization between the transmitter and the
receiver. The TDMA is used in digital mobile radio systems. The individual
mobile stations are assigned cyclically a frequency for exclusive use for the
duration of a time interval.

27. What are the Advantages of TDMA?

 It permits flexible rates (i.e., several slots can be assigned to a user, for example,
each time interval translates 32Kbps, a user is assigned two 64 Kbps slots per
frame).

 It can withstand gusty or variable bit rate traffic. Number of slots allocated to a
user can be changed frame by frame (for example, two slots of the frame 1, frame
2 of the three slots, one slot in the frame 3, frame 0 of the notches 4, etc.)

 No guard bands required for the wideband system.

 No narrowband filters required for the wideband system.

28. What are the Disadvantages of TDMA?

 The high data rates of broadband systems require complex equalization.

  Due to the burst mode, a large number of additional bits for synchronization and
supervision are needed.

 Call time is needed in each slot to accommodate time to inaccuracies due to clock
instability.

 Electronics operating at high bit rates increase energy consumption.

 Complex signal processing is required to synchronize within short slot.

29. What is CDMA? Explain.

Code Division Multiple Access system is very different from time and
frequency multiplexing. In this system, a user has access to the whole
bandwidth for the entire duration. The basic principle is that different CDMA
codes are used to distinguish between different users. Forms generally used
are direct sequence spread spectrum modulation (DS-CDMA), frequency
hopping or mixed CDMA detection (JDCDMA). Here, a signal is generated
which extends over a wide bandwidth. A code called spreading code is used
to perform this action. Using a group of codes, which are orthogonal to each
other, it is possible to select a signal with a given code in the presence of
many other signals with different orthogonal codes.

30. What are the Advantages of CDMA?

 CDMA has a soft capacity. The greater the number of codes, the more number of
users. However, many codes are used S/I drops and the BER (Bit Error Rate) will
increase for all users.

 CDMA requires a tight power control as it suffers from near-far effect. In other
words, a user near the base station transmits the same power as a user later will
drown the latter signal. All signals must have more or less equal power at the
receiver.

 Rake receivers can be used to improve signal reception. Delayed versions of time
(a chip or later) of the signal (multipath signals) can be collected and used to
make decisions at the bit level.

 Flexible transfer may be used. Mobile base stations can switch without changing
operator. Two base stations receive mobile signal and the mobile receives from
two base stations.
  Transmission Burst - reduces interference.

31. What are the Disadvantages of Code Division Multiple Access?

 The code length must be carefully selected. A large code length can induce delay
or may cause interference.

 Time synchronization is required.

 Gradual transfer increases the use of radio resources and may reduce capacity.

 As the sum of the power received and transmitted from a base station needs
constant tight power control. This can result in several handovers.

32. What are the Differences between CDMA and FDMA?

CDMA FDMA

The same frequency is used by each user When the channel is not used, it is the
channel bandwidth while rest simply is
Simultaneous transmission occurs and
relatively narrow (30 KHz), known
each narrowband signal is multiplied by
as System narrowband.
spreading the broadband signal, usually
called code word. Little or no equalization is needed.

Each user has a separate code pseudo- For broadcasting, time symbols are
word that is orthogonal to the other. suitable analogue links.
Only the desired code word is detected
Framing for FDMA or synchronization
by receivers and the other code appears
bits are not needed for the tight filter
as noise.
streaming. It is required to minimize
It is mandatory for the receivers to know the combined interference of FDD.
about the issuer code word.

33. What is Spread Spectrum Technique?

Spread spectrum is a form of wireless communications in which the frequency

of the transmitted signal is deliberately varied. This results in a much greater
bandwidth than the signal would have, if its frequency were not varied. In
other words, the transmitted signal bandwidth is greater than the minimal
information bandwidth needed to successfully transmit the signal. Some
function other than the information itself is being employed to determine the
resultant transmitted bandwidth.

34. How many types of Spread Spectrum Techniques are used in

CDMA?

Following two types of spread spectrum techniques are used −

 Direct Sequence and

 Frequency Hopping.

35. What is Frequency Hopping?

Frequency hopping is a spread spectrum in which the propagation takes place

by hopping in frequency over a wide band. The precise order in which the
break occurs is determined by a hopping table generated by using a pseudo-
random code sequence.

36. What are the Advantages of Spread Spectrum?

 Since the signal is spread over a wide frequency band, the power spectral density
becomes very low, so other communications systems do not suffer from this kind
of communication. However, the Gaussian noise increases.

 Multipath can be agreed with, as a large number of codes can be generated,

allowing a large number of users.

 The maximum number of users have not limited spectrum or resource, as other
access systems such as FDMA, here they have only limited interference.

 Security − without knowing the spreading code, it is almost impossible to recover

the transmitted data.

 Descending rejection − as large bandwidth is used the system, it is less

susceptible to deformation.

37. What is PN Sequence in CDMA? Explain.

The DS-CDMA system uses two types of spreading sequences − PN sequences

and orthogonal codes. The PN sequence is generated by the pseudo-random
noise generator which is simply a binary linear feedback shift register,
consisting of XOR gates and a shift register. This PN generator has the ability
to create a sequence identical for both the transmitter and the receiver, and
while retaining the desirable properties of the noise randomness bit
sequence.

38. What is Multi-path Fading? Explain.

In wireless communications, fading is the deviation of the signal attenuation

affecting a certain propagation media. Discoloration may vary with time, the
geographical position or frequency of the radio, which is often modeled as a
random process. A fading channel is a communication channel experiencing
fading. In wireless systems, fading can be due to multipath, called multi-path
fading.

39. What is Rake Receiver?

CDMA system uses a signal fast chip rate for spreading spectrum and it has
a high time resolution. For this reason, CDMA is able to recognize by
decomposing each of the path to reach with the time difference. From this, it
receives a different paths of signal each one separately, by summing later, it
can prevent signal degradation. This is called as the RAKE receiver.

40. What is Walsh Code? Explain.

Walsh Codes are most commonly used in CDMA applications orthogonal

codes. These codes correspond to lines of a special square matrix called the
Hadamard matrix. For a set of Walsh codes of length N, it consists of n lines
to form a square matrix of n × n Walsh code. The IS-95 system uses 64
Walsh function matrix 64. The first line of this matrix contains a string of all
zeros with each of the following lines containing different combinations of bit
0 and 1. Each line is orthogonal and equal representation for binary bits.
When implemented with the CDMA system, each mobile user uses one of the
64 sequences of rows in the matrix as a spreading code, providing zero cross-
correlation among all the other users.

41. What is Soft Handover/Handoff?

Cellular system tracks mobile stations in order to maintain their

communication links. The mobile station goes to neighbor cell and
communication link switches from current cell to the neighbor cell which is
called as soft handover.
  Soft handoff is a feature in which a cellular phone is simultaneously connected to
two or more cellular phones during a single call.

 It is the overlapping of repeater coverage ones, which enables every cell phone
set is always well within the range of a specific repeater.

 More than one repeater can send and receive signals to transmit signals to and
from mobiles.

 All repeaters are used with the same frequency channel for each mobile phone
set.

 Practically no dead zones and as result, the connections seldom interrupted or

dropped.

42. What is Hard Handover? Explain.

In FDMA or TDMA cellular system, new communication establishes after

breaking current communication at the moment doing handoff.
Communication between MS and BS breaks at the moment switching
frequency or timeslot which is known as hard handover.

43. What is Power Control?

Power control is the intelligent selection of transmit power in a

communication system for achieving best performance within the system.
The performance depends on context and there are chances to include
optimizing metrics like link data rate, network capacity, geographic coverage,
and range. A higher transmit power translates into a higher signal power at
the receiver.

44. What is Reverse Link Power Control? Explain.

The power of closed loop control is used to compensate for the rapid Rayleigh
discoloration. This time, the mobile transmitted power is controlled by the
base station. For this purpose, the base station continuously monitors the
reverse link signal quality. If the quality of the connection is poor then the
base station increases the power. Similarly, if the quality of the link is very
high then the mobile base station controller reduces the power. This is called
as reverse link power control.

45. What is Forward Link Power Control? Explain

Similar to reverse link power control, forward link power control is also
necessary to maintain the forward link quality to a specified level. This time,
the mobile monitors the forward link quality and indicates to the base station
to turn on or off, this power control has no effect on the near-far problem
because all the signals are blurred together the same level of power when
they get to the mobile. In short, there is no near-far problem in the forward
link.

46. Explain the Effects of Power Control.

 Power control is capable of compensating the fading fluctuation.

 Received power from all MS are controlled to be equal.

 Near-Far problem is mitigated by the power control.

47. Explain the Frequency Allocation Concept

In FDMA or TDMA, radio resource is allocated not to interfere among neighbor

cells −

 Neighbor cells cannot use the same (identical) frequency band (or timeslot).

 The left figure shows the simple cell allocation with seven bands of frequency.

 In actual situation, because of complicated radio propagation and irregular cell

allocation, it is not easy to allocate frequency (or timeslot) appropriately.

CDMA system is against this, since all users share the same frequency, the
arrangement of the frequency is not an issue. This is in designing the system,
which will be a very big advantage.

48. What are the Interferences in CDMA?

There are four main interferences in CDMA as given below −

 Noise sources,

 Signal processing,

 Frame error rate, and

 Power per Walsh code.

49. Explain the CMDA Interference “Frame Error Rate.”

The number of transmission errors, measured in terms of a frame error rate
(FER). It increases with the number of calls. To overcome this problem, the
minicell and mobile site can increase the power until either the mobile or the
minicell site can power up more further to reduce FER to an acceptable
amount. This event provides a soft limit calls from a particular minicell.