Satellite applications of spread spectrum frequency hopping techniques

Some features of frequency-hopping (FH) code-division multiple-access (CDMA) techniques are discussed in connection with the mitigation of the effects of interferences in multiple-user satellite systems. The authors show how some specific satellite applications-data relay satellites, space station, mobile satellite systems, VSATs (very small aperture terminals)-may take advantage of CDMA features offered by spread-spectrum modulations. FH is briefly reviewed as a valid alternative to direct-sequence spread-spectrum methods, and FH techniques are analyzed in a specific scenario concerning space station communications. The design of spreading and forward error correction codes for FH systems is addressed