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MY UNDERSTANDING OF CDMAIn GPS in which the goal is to define an unknown location from known locations, a satellite must transmit a timing reference pulse as well as additional data that reveals the exact time the satellite sent its data, the satelliteā€™s ID, correction data and additional data.There are many channels common to a large number of satellites through which a satellite transmits data, but fundamentally they all work the same way.For each unique channel(ie: L1) each satellite transmits on exactly the same frequency.The question arises as to how each satellite can convey its reference pulse and all its additional data without interfering with the data sent by any of the others if they are using the exact same frequency.The answer is actually quite easy if one is willing to and can send the data at a slower rate than the carrier frequency, yet preserve the precision and accuracy of the timing pulse.Here is how it is done.Begin by understanding that in the digital domain, meaning is assigned to groups of bits. Each bit can be a one or zero . Digital computers use the term, ā€œwordā€ (a group of bits considered to contain a single meaning). Today, many computer ā€œwordsā€ are 64 bits in size. Every one of the 64 bits can be defined in any sequence and at any time, but once the word is moved the meaning of that 64 bits is fixed.So each satellite, in effect, has groups of bits that are assembled as one unit over time within the satellite before it transmits and then just before a whole group of data is ā€œmoved outā€ (transmitted), a highly accurate time is encoded in some of the bits of that group.The fact that this group of data might take different times to reach a receiver does not interfere with the calculations which must depend on that time stamp.The reason is that if the group of data is being sent on a train of constant, highly accurate time intervals (note precision is associated with time ā€œintervalsā€ and not with the accuracy of a clock time associated with some national standard on earth), then the delay which occurs in sending the accurate time stamp to a receiver can be adjusted by the number of highly precise time intervals if the receiver knew the exact moment the time stamp was transmitted. The method of how the exact moment the time stamp was achieved can be understood in my first article, ā€œtime intervals in GPSā€The point I want to make sure you grasp in this article is that since groups of data can be delayed and yet not lose their value for the end goal of calculating a location from data sent from satellites, an encoding scheme that permits each satellite to transmit data without worrying about data interference can unfold.Putting aside the details of a satellite transmission technology in which bits are converted into waves of a given frequency and then back to bits) , all we need to know is that a carrier frequency really defines the opportunity to store a bit. Higher carrier frequencies offer greater opportunities.The key in transmitting multiple data groups on a single frequency is in appreciating that each data group (from each satellite) does not claim and use every bit storage opportunity of a carrier frequency AND that the bit positions occur at highly precise pulse widths.Lets label the position of every bit storage opportunity (corresponding to the carrier frequency) from 1 to N.Satellite ā€œ1ā€ might be assigned the use of bit position 1,6 9 22, N 17.Satellite ā€œ2ā€ might be assigned the use of bit position 2,11,33,47,N-5Satellite ā€œ3ā€™ might be assigned the use of bit position 4,7,19,20,27Notice that no two satellites share the same bit position and hence data ā€œorthgonalityā€ or independence is attained. No information sent by one satellite will interferre with information from another satellite.The selections of bit positions is known as PRN code.Notice that to transmit ā€œX bitsā€ of the original data for a given satellite, the time it takes will be slower than if any one satellite could use all the bit positions of the carrier but as previously mentioned that time delay is not consequential.Also note again, as mentioned above, the propagation of the entire group of bits for each satellite can be different, but as long as the delay is defined in terms of highly precise intervals, the data stream can be decoded without error.I should mention that people often mention frequency hopping when they talk about CDMA. Frequency hopping is, effect, frequency modulation. Ie, for a given group of bits, a bit position might be sent on frequency 1 and another on frequency 2. The bit position vs frequency can be any set of combinations.While frequency hopping has advantages, the working of CDMA is not dependent on frequency hopping.

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  • I forgot to tell you there is even a electronic news section,just though I would tell you.

    The above article would be good to show in your class.

    Ā To edit your post, above the title in red Edit This with a drop down option,you will see what you need.

  • Ā Hi, William,

    Ā I do not know if you use Science Daily ,I think you might like to read this since I gave this Post.

    Ā It's kinda connected to yours.

    http://landsurveyorsunited.com/forum/topics/news-from-space-optical...

    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161117105146.htm

    I read from this site every day hope you like it.

  • Not a Surveyor

    I can't figure out how to edit a post that I presented.

    So until I can figure it out,Ā  i feel the explanatino above should be replaced by the explanation below.

    MY UNDERSTANDING OF CDMA

    Ā 

    In GPS the goal is to define an unknown location from known locations.

    To achieve that goal, Ā a satellite must transmit a timing reference pulse as well as additional data that reveals the exact time the satellite sent its data, the satelliteā€™s ID, ephemeris data revealing the satelliteā€™s exact orbit location for the time of transmission, Ā correction data and additional data. Ā 

    This data is transmitted on a channel.Ā  Each satellite has multiple channels at slightly different frequencies all of which redundantly transmit the same data.

    These multiple channels are common to a constellation of satellites. That is, for each unique channel(ie: L1) each satellite transmits on exactly the same frequency.

    The question arises as to how each satellite can convey its reference pulse and all its additional data without interfering with the data sent by any of the others if they are using the exact same frequency.

    The answer is actually quite easy if one is willing to and can send the data at a slower rate than the carrier frequency, yet preserve the precision and accuracy of the timing pulse.

    Here is how it is done.Ā 

    Putting aside the details of a satellite transmission technology in which bits(a bit has the value of ā€œzeroā€ or ā€œoneā€) are converted into waves of a given frequency and then back to bits) , is that these bits are carried by a carrier frequency.Ā  One can imagine a carrier frequency as a string of square waves of exactly the same width and separation. Each single cycle of a square wave is a position for a bit.

    What is important is that a carrier frequency really defines the opportunity to store a bit.

    The key in transmitting multiple data groups on a single frequency is in appreciating that each data group (from each satellite) does not claim and use every bit storage opportunity of a carrier frequency.

    Lets label the position of every bit storage opportunity (corresponding to the carrier frequency)Ā  from 1 to N.

    Satellite ā€œ1ā€ might be assigned the use of bit position 1,6 9, 22, N, 17

    Satellite ā€œ2ā€ might be assigned the use of bit position 2,11,33,47,N-5

    Satellite ā€œ3ā€™ might be assigned the use of bit position 4,7,19,20,27

    Notice that no two satellites share the same bit position and hence data ā€œorthgonalityā€ or independence is attained. No information sent by one satellite will interferre with information from another satellite.The unique selection of bit positions for each satellite is known as a PRN code.

    Notice that to transmit ā€œX bitsā€ of the original data for a given satellite, the time it takes will be slower than if any one satellite could use all the bit positions of the carrier but as previously mentioned that time delay is not consequential.Ā 

    Just as a reminder, the delay is not consequential because of two reasons.Ā  The group of bits is sent with a time stamp (used ONLY to obtain a satelliteā€™s orbit position at the time of the stamp) Ā AND the carrierā€™s pulse train consists of precise time intervals that are actually used in iteratively solving simultaneous equations to compute the delay in getting a satelliteā€™s group of bits from satellite to receiver.

    I should mention that people often mention frequency hopping when they talk about CDMA.Ā  Frequency hopping is, in effect, frequency modulation.Ā  Ie, for a given group of bits, a bit position might be sent on frequency 1 and another on frequency 2. Ā The bit position vs frequency can be any set of combinations. Frequency hopping is generated at the satellite after the cdma code is created and frequency hopping decoded at the receiver before any cdma is decoded.

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