Multiple Access Techniques

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Multiple Access Techniques
Frequency Division Multiple Access
(FDMA)
Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
Random Access
Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
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FDMA
f1
FDMA was the initial multiple-access
technique for cellular systems
Separates large band into smaller channels.
Each channel has the ability to support user.
Guard bands are used to separate channel
preventing co-channel interference
Narrow bandwidth (30 khz).
User 1
User 2
User 3
User 4
Time
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Advantages
Simple to implement in terms of hardware.
Fairly efficient with a small base population and
with constant traffic.
Disadvantages
Network and spectrum planning are intensive and
time consuming.
Channels are dedicated for a single user, idle
channels add spectrum inefficiency.
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TDMA
Entire bandwidth is available to the user for
finite period of time.
Users are allotted time slots for a channel
allowing sharing of a single channel.
Requires time synchronization.
Each of the user takes turn in transmitting
and receiving data in a round robin fashion.
Time
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How it works?
User presses Push-to-Talk (PTT) button
A control channel registers the radio to the closest base
station.
The BS assigns an available pair of channels.
Unlike FDMA, TDMA system also assigns an available time
slot within the channel.
Data transmission is not continuous rather sent and received
in bursts.
The bursts are reassembled and appear like continuous
transmission.
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Advantages
Extended battery life and talk time
More efficient use of spectrum, compared to FDMA
Will accommodate more users in the same spectrum space than an FDMA
system
Disadvantages
Network and spectrum planning are intensive
Multipath interference affects call quality
Dropped calls are possible when users switch in and out of different cells.
Too few users result in idle channels (rural versus urban environment)
Higher costs due to greater equipment sophistication





Data Transmitted in a Buffer-and-Burst Method
TDMA Time Frame
Efficiency of TDMA
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 CDMA system, use the same carrier frequency
and may transmit simultaneously.
In CDMA, the narrowband message signal is multiplied by a
very large bandwidth signal called the spreading signal.
Each user has its own pseudorandom codeword which is
approximately orthogonal to all other codewords.
The receiver performs a time correlation operation to detect
only the specific desired codeword.

Code Division Multiple Access
CDMA
DS FH
Bandwidth PN sequence clock rate
or chip rate
The tuning range of
frequencies
Synchronization Very crucial Less critical
Spectrum Very wide narrow
Near-far problem More likely to occur Less likely to occur
Comparison of DS and FH system
TDMA Operation
Efficiency of TDMA frame:

- overhead bits per frame
- number of reference bursts per frame
- number of traffic bursts per frame
- number of overhead bits per reference burst
- number of overhead bits per preamble p
OH
r
t
r
p
b
N
N
b
b
( )
er slot
- number of equivalent bits in each guard time interval
- frame duration
- bit rate of the radio-frequency channel
1 100%
g
f
rf
OH r r t p t r g
total f rf
OH
f
total
b
T
R
b N b N b N N b
b T R
b
b
q
=
=
(
=
(

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CDMA
CDMA is a spread
spectrum technique used
to increase spectrum
efficiency.
SS has been used in
military applications due
to anti-jamming and
security.


User 4
Time
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User 1
User 2
User 3
User 4
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Code-Division Multiple Access
(CDMA)
Basic Principles of CDMA
D = rate of data signal
Break each bit into k chips
Chips are a user-specific fixed pattern
Chip data rate of new channel = kD
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CDMA Example
If k=6 and code is a sequence of 1s and -1s
For a 1 bit, A sends code as chip pattern
<c1, c2, c3, c4, c5, c6>
For a 0 bit, A sends complement of code
<-c1, -c2, -c3, -c4, -c5, -c6>
Receiver knows senders code and performs electronic decode
function
<d1, d2, d3, d4, d5, d6> = received chip pattern
<c1, c2, c3, c4, c5, c6> = senders code
( ) 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 c d c d c d c d c d c d d S
u
+ + + + + =
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CDMA Example
User A code = <1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1>
To send a 1 bit = <1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1>
To send a 0 bit = <1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1>
User B code = <1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1>
To send a 1 bit = <1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1>
Receiver receiving with As code
(As code) x (received chip pattern)
User A 1 bit: 6 -> 1
User A 0 bit: -6 -> 0
User B 1 bit: 0 -> unwanted signal ignored
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Advantages
Greatest spectrum efficiency:
CDMA improves call quality by filtering out background noise, cross-talk, and
interference
Simplified frequency planning - all users on a CDMA system use the same
radio frequency spectrum.
Random Walsh codes enhance user privacy; a spread-spectrum advantage
Precise power control increases talk time and battery size for mobile phones
Disadvantages
Backwards compatibility techniques are costly
Currently, base station equipment is expensive
Low traffic areas lead to inefficient use of spectrum and equipment resources




TDMA Operation
Transmission in the form of repetitive sequence of
frames
Each frame is divided into a number of time slots.
Each slot is dedicated to a particular transmitter.
Earth stations take turns using uplink channel
Sends data in assigned time slot.
Satellite repeats incoming transmissions
Broadcast to all stations.
Stations must know which slot to use for
transmission and which to use for reception .

CODE DIVISION MULTIPLE ACCESS
CDMA, also called spread spectrum communication, differs
from FDMA and TDMA because it allows users to literally
transmit on top of each other.
This feature has allowed CDMA to gain attention in
commercial satellite communication.
It was originally developed for use in military satellite
communication where its inherent anti-jam and security
features are highly desirable.
CDMA was adopted in cellular mobile telephone as an
interference-tolerant communication technology that
increases capacity above analog systems.
COMPARISION