Optimal frequency hopping sequences: a combinatorial approach

Frequency hopping multiple access (FHMA) spread-spectrum communication systems employing multiple frequency-shift keying (MFSK) as data modulation technique are investigated from a combinatorial approach. A correspondence between optimal frequency hopping (FH) sequences and partition-type difference packings is first established. By virtue of this correspondence, FHMA systems with a single optimal FH sequence each are constructed from various combinatorial structures such as affine geometries, cyclic designs, and difference families. Combinatorial recursive constructions are also presented. Many new infinite series of optimal FH sequences are thus obtained. These new FH sequences are also useful in ultra wideband (UWB) communication systems.