Code-spread CDMA using maximum free distance low-rate convolutional codes

In code division multiple-access (CDMA) systems, maximum total throughput assuming a matched filter receiver can be obtained by spreading with low-rate error control codes. Previously, orthogonal, bi-orthogonal and super-orthogonal codes have been proposed for this purpose. We present in this paper a family of rate-compatible low-rate convolutional codes with maximum free distance. The performance of these codes for spectrum spreading in a CDMA system is evaluated and shown to outperform that of orthogonal and super-orthogonal codes as well as conventionally coded and spread systems. We also show that the proposed low rate codes will give simple encoder and decoder implementations. With these codes, any rate 1/n, n⩽512, are obtained for constraint lengths up to 11, resulting in a more flexible and powerful scheme than those previously proposed