A Multiprocessing Approach to Spread Spectrum Code Acquisition

A new multiprocessing technique for direct sequence (DS) spread spectrum code acquisition is presented and analyzed. Tapped delay lines or surface acoustic wave devices, are employed as matched filters to detect in sequence a subdivided code. With the use of parallel sequence detection circuits, the new acquisition technique can be looked upon as being a link between parallel and multi-dwell acquisition technique [4]. Expressions are derived for the mean acquisition time and variance as a function of the number of SDC systems. The computed results allow for the study of the interaction of many of the design parameters, such as, codelength and number of systems. The mean acquisition times are shown to be less than those of the multi-dwell techniques [4]. While the results of this work are based on analysis, a prototype model of the acquisition scheme is currently being built.