CDMA - 2 CHANNEL

modules
basic: ADDER, MULTIPLIER, SEQUENCE GENERATOR
advanced: CDMA DECODER, DIGITAL UTILITIES, MULTIPLE SEQUENCES SOURCE,
WIDEBAND TRUE RMS METER
optional advanced (for BER measurements): ERROR COUNTING UTILITIES, NOISE
GENERATOR, SEQUENCE GENERATOR

preparation
It would be best to have attempted the Lab Sheets entitled CDMA – introduction and
CDMA - processing gain before commencing this experiment. It is concerned with
assessing co-channel interference when two channels are present.
Whilst the previous Lab Sheets dealt with single channels, the present experiment includes a
second channel at the transmitter. This is combined with the first in the transmission path,
represented by the adder, as shown in the block diagram of Figure 1 below.

message
sequence #1

channel #1 X-OR

spreading
PN #1
recovered
message
message sequence
sequence #2 #1 or #2

channel #2 X-OR
de-spreading
spreading PN sequence
PN #2 #1 or #2

TWO SPREAD transmission

MESSAGES path RECEIVER

Figure 1: 2-channel system block diagram

experiment
The block diagram of Figure 1 is shown modelled in Figure 2.
Before plugging in the MULTIPLE SEQUENCES SOURCE module set the on-board rotary
switches to different (long) sequences (say ‘0’ for the upper sequence, and ‘1’ for the
lower). Before plugging in the CDMA DECODER module set the on-board rotary switch to
sequences ‘0’.
Two message sequences, ‘X’ and ‘Y’, are available from the message SEQUENCE
GENERATOR module.

www.emona-tims.com 1/2
Emona-TIMS CDMA - 2 channel L-64 rev 1.0

align
100kHz
TTL

8.333kHz
TTL recovered
message
sequence

521 Hz TTL stolen data clock

Figure 2: 2-channel system model

After patching up, check all clock frequencies. Adjust the ADDER gain controls so that the
DSSS signals at the MULTIPLIER input are of equal amplitude.
Synchronise the oscilloscope to the source SYNCH signal. Display the ‘X’ source message
sequence. Simultaneously observe the output from the ‘recovered message sequence’
socket.
The spreading and de-spreading sequences are the same, since both were earlier set to ‘0’.
Carry out their alignment procedure#.

observations
Having satisfied yourself that the message has been recovered there are many qualitative
observations which can be made (typically at the DATA LPF output). For example:

• upset the de-spreading sequence alignment (press reset of either PN generator)

• demonstrate how the second channel message sequence can be recovered
• confirm SNR change at output when the second channel is removed
• try different ratios of wanted and unwanted signal powers (previously equal)
• replace the second channel with a steady tone and observe output SNR change
• replace the second channel with bandlimited noise and observe output SNR change
• how do the previous four observations compare - comment
• change the ratio of PN bit rate to message bit rate (change PN bit rate) and compare
previous results

BER measurement
Alternative measurements can be made by adding instrumentation for measuring bit error
rate (BER). Refer to the Lab Sheets entitled BER instrumentation, and BER measurement-
introduction.

# sequence alignment is examined in the Lab Sheet entitled PRBS messages.

TIMS Lab Sheet copyright  tim hooper 2001, amberley holdings pty ltd ABN 61 001-080-093 2/2