Definition

Code division multiple access (CDMA) is a channel access method utilized by various radio
communication technologies. It should not be confused with the mobile phone standards
called CDMA One and CDMA2000 (which are often referred to as simply "CDMA"),which
use CDMA as an underlying channel access method. In CDMA systems, the narrowband
message signal is multiplied by a very large bandwidth signal called the spreading signal. The
spreading signal is a pseudo-noise code sequence that has a chip rate which is orders of
magnitudes greater than the data rate of the message. All users in a CDMA system use the
same carrier frequency and may transmit simultaneously. Each user has its own
pseudorandom codeword which is approximately orthogonal to all other code words.

Introduction

Wideband code division multiple access is a 3rd generation mobile communication system
that uses code division multiple access (CDMA) technology over a wide frequency band to
provide high-speed multimedia and efficient voice services. The WCDMA infrastructure is
compatible with GSM mobile radio communication system. WCDMA provides for high-
speed data and voice communication services. Installing or upgrading to WCDMA
technology allows mobile service providers to offer their customers wireless broadband
(high-speed Internet) services and to operate their systems more efficiently (more customers
per cell site radio tower).

The WCDMA system is composed of mobile devices (wireless telephones and data
communication devices called user equipment-UE), radio towers (cell sites called Node Bs),
and an packet data interconnection system (switches and data routers). The WCDMA
system uses two types of radio channels; frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division
duplex (TDD). The FDD radio channels are primarily used for wide area voice (audio)
channels and data services. The TDD channels are typically used for systems that do not have
the availability of dual frequency bands.

This figure shows a simplified diagram of a WCDMA system. This diagram shows that the
WCDMA system includes various types of mobile communication devices (called user
equipment - UE) that communicate through base stations (node B) and a mobile switching
center (MSC) or data routing networks to connect to other mobile telephones, public
telephones, or to the Internet via a core network (CN). This diagram shows that the WCDMA
system is compatible with both the 5 MHz wide WCDMA radio channel and the narrow
200 kHz GSM channels. This example also shows that the core network is essentially divided
between voice systems (circuit switching) and packet data (packet switching).

Wideband Code Division Multiple Access -WCDMA Diagram

This figure shows a simplified functional diagram of a WCDMA network. This diagram
shows that the WCDMA system is composed of 3 key parts; the user equipment
(UE), UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN), and a core interconnecting
network. The UE is divided into 2 parts, the mobile equipment (ME) and the UMTS
subscriber identity module (USIM) card. The UTRAN is composed of base stations (called
Node B) and radio network controllers (RNCs). This example shows that the RNCs connect
voice calls to mobile switching centers (MSCs) and connect data sessions to packet data
service nodes (PDSNs). The core network is basically divided into circuit switched (primarily
voice) and packet switched (primarily data) parts. The core network circuit switch parts
contain the serving MSC and a gateway MSC. The serving MSC (SMSC) connects to the
UTRAN system and the gateway MSC (GMSC) connects to the public telephone network.
The core network packet switched parts contain the serving general packet radio service
(GPRS) support node (SGSN) and a gateway GPRS service node (GGSN). The SGSN
connects to the UTRAN system and the GGSN connects to data networks such as the
Internet.

WCDMA Network Diagram

Feature of CDMA
Many users of a CDMA system share the same frequency. Either TDD or FDD may be used
1. Unlike TDMA or FDMA, CDMA has a soft capacity limit. Increasing the number
of users in a CDMA system raises floor in a linear manner. Thus, there is no
absolute limit on the number of users in CDMA. Rather, the system performance
gradually degrades for all users as the number of users is increased, and improves
as the number of users is decreased.
2. Multipath fading may be substantially reduced because the signal is spread over a
large spectrum. If the spread spectrum bandwidth is greater than the coherence
bandwidth of the channel, the inherent frequency diversity will mitigate the effects
of small-scale fading.
3. Channel data rates are very high in CDMA systems. Consequently, the
symbol(chip) duration is very short and usually much less than the channel delay
spread. Since PN sequences have low autocorrelation, multipath which is delayed
by more than a chip will appear as noise. A RAKE receiver can be used to
improve reception by collecting time delayed versions of the required signal.
4. Since CDMA uses co-channel cells, it can use macroscopic spatial diversity to
provide soft handoff. Soft handoff is performed by the MSC, which can
simultaneously monitor a particular user from two or more base station. The MSC
may choose the best version of the signal at any time without switching
frequencies.
5. Self-jamming is a problem in CDMA systems, Self-jamming arises from the fact
that the spreading sequences of different users are not exactly orthogonal, hence in
the dispreading sequences of a particular PN code, non-zero contributions to the
receiver decision statistic for a desired user arise from the transmissions of other
users in the system.
6. The near-far problem occurs at a CDMA receiver if an undesired user has a high
detected power as compared to the desired user.
WCDMA Technical Specifications

Multiple Access Scheme DS-CDMA

Duplex Scheme FDD/TDD

Packet Access Dual mode (Combined and dedicated channel)

Multirate/Variable rate
scheme Variable spreading factor and multi-code

Chip Rate 3.84 Mcps

Carrier Spacing 4.4-5.2 MHz (200 kHz carrier raster)

Frame Length 4.4-5.2 MHz (200 kHz carrier raster)

Inter Base Station FDD: No synchronization needed TDD: Synchronization

synchronization required

The chip rate may be extended to two or three times the standard 3.84 Mcps to accommodate
data rates higher than 2 Mbps. The 200 kHz carrier raster has been chosen to facilitate
coexistence and interoperability with GSM.

Advantages of CDMA
1. Reduction of dropped calls thanks to Soft Handoff
2. Capacity is CDMA's biggest asset. It can accommodate more users per MHz of
bandwidth
3. than any other technology
4. CDMA has no built-in limit to the number of concurrent users
5. CDMA uses precise clocks that do not limit the distance a tower can cover
6. CDMA consumes less power and covers large areas so cell size in CDMA is large
7. CDMA is able to produce a reasonable call with lower signal (cell phone
reception) levels
8. CDMA's variable rate voice coders reduce the rate being transmitted when the
speaker is not talking, which allows the channel to operate more efficiently
9. CDMA has a well-defined path to higher data rates
Disadvantages of CDMA
1. Most CDMA-based technologies are patented and must be licensed from
Qualcomm.
2. As the number of subscribers using a certain site goes up, the range of that site
goes down
3. CDMA towers interfere with themselves so they are usually installed on short
towers and
4. CDMA system may not perform well in hilly areas
5. Currently CDMA covers a smaller portion of the world compared to GSM which
has more subscribers and is in more countries worldwide

Applications of WCDMA

a. Overcrowding is relieved in existing systems with radio spectrum

b. Bandwidth, security and reliability are more
c. Provides interoperability among service providers
d. Availability of fixed and variable rates
e. Support to devices with backward compatibility with existing networks
f. Always online devices – 3G uses IP connectivity which is packet based
g. Rich multi media services are available