Principle behind CDMA

Synchronous CDMA, or Code Division Multiplexing (CDM) exploits at its core

mathematical properties of orthogonality. Suppose we represent data signals as
vectors. For example, the binary string "1011" would be represented by the
vector (1, 0, 1, 1). We may wish to give a vector a name, we may do so by using
boldface letters, e.g. a. We also use an operation on vectors, known as the dot
product, to "multiply" vectors, by summing the product of the components. For
example, the dot product of (1, 0, 1, 1) and (1, -1, -1, 0) would be (1)(1)+(0)(-
1)+(1)(-1)+(1)(0)=1+-1=0. Where the dot product of vectors a and b is 0, we say
that the two vectors are orthogonal.

An example of 4 orthogonal digital signals.

1. Suppose now we have a set of vectors that are mutually orthogonal to

each other.

2. An example of orthogonal functions is shown in the picture on the right.

Now, associate with one sender a vector from this set, say v, which is
called the chip code.

3. Associate a zero digit with the vector -v, and a one digit with the vector v.
4. For example, if v=(1,-1), then the binary vector (1, 0, 1, 1) would
correspond to (1,-1,-1,1,1,-1,1,-1). For the purposes of this article, we call
this constructed vector the transmitted vector.

5. Each sender has a different, unique vector chosen from that set, but the
construction of the transmitted vector is identical.

6. Now, the physical properties of interference say that if two signals at a

point are in phase, they will "add up" to give twice the amplitude of each
signal, but if they are out of phase, they will "subtract" and give a signal
that is the difference of the amplitudes. Digitally, this behaviour can be
modelled simply by the addition of the transmission vectors, component by
component.

7. So, if we have two senders, both sending simultaneously, one with the
chip code (1, -1) and data vector (1, 0, 1, 1), and another with the chip
code (1, 1), and data vector (0,0,1,1), the raw signal received would be the
sum of the transmission vectors (1,-1,-1,1,1,-1,1,-1)+(-1,-1,-1,-
1,1,1,1,1)=(0,-2,-2,0,2,0,2,0).

8. Suppose a receiver gets such a signal, and wants to detect what the
transmitter with chip code (1, -1) is sending. The receiver will make use of
the property described in the above foundation section, and take the dot
product to the received vector in parts. Take the first two components of
the received vector, that is, (0, -2). Now, (0, -2).(1, -1) = (0)(1)+(-2)(-1) = 2.
Since this is positive, we can deduce that a one digit was sent.

9. Taking the next two components, (-2, 0), (-2, 0).(1,-1)=(-2)(1)+(0)(-1)=-2.

Since this is negative, we can deduce that a zero digit was sent.
Continuing in this fashion, we can successfully decode what the
transmitter with chip code (1, -1) was sending: (1, 0, 1, 1).

10. Likewise, applying the same process with chip code (1, 1): (1, 1).(0,-2) =
-2 gives digit 0, (1, 1).(-2,0)=(1)(-2)+(1)(0)=-2 gives digit 0, and so on, to
give us the data vector sent by the transmitter with chip code (1, 1): (0, 0,
1, 1).