Spectrum utilisation by frequency hopping radio systems vis-a-vis fixed frequency radio systems

Spread spectrum techniques are finding increasing applications in the modern day communication and non-communication electronic systems. Relatively high immunity to interference, crosstalk and electronic counter measures are the obvious advantages of spread spectrum techniques which make these favourites for military applications, both in the field of communication and non-communication electronic systems. Out of the various spread spectrum techniques, direct sequence (DS) spread spectrum and frequency hopping (FH) are the most efficient and most widely used. The paper, after a brief introduction to the various spread spectrum techniques, analyses the performance of frequency hopping radio systems which are related to spectrum utilisation vis-a-vis conventional fixed frequency radio systems. Certain practical tests were carried out by the author and are presented in support of the analysis