Detection of code division multiple access signals in a multiuser environment using antenna arrays

Code division multiple access (CDMA) has been proposed as an efficient access method for cellular and personal communications systems. In contrast to conventional time and frequency division access methods, CDMA systems are interference limited. In this paper we describe multichannel detection schemes which in contrast to detectors based on beamforming methods, have performances which are essentially independent of the strengths of interfering users. These detectors are multichannel versions of the decorrelating detector and the successive interference cancellation receiver, using antenna arrays. Performances, limitations and complexities of these systems are discussed.