Performance analysis of asynchronous direct sequence code division multiple access for general chip waveforms over multi-path Rayleigh fading channels

The probability of error (P_e) performance of direct sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) signals over multi-path Rayleigh fading channels for general (i.e. time-limited and band-limited) chip waveforms is investigated. The numerical values of the P_e are calculated for DS-CDMA signals using conventional time-limited chip waveforms and a band-limited square root raised cosine (SRRC) chip waveform. Analytical calculations are verified by conducting simulations. In terms of the P_e, the SRRC-based system results in a worse performance value than those of the time-limited chip waveform-based systems. However, due to its compact bandwidth, the SRRC-based system provides the highest capacity defined as the number of users per Hertz for a same P_e performance level.