Methods of and devices for spread spectrum communication systems using forward error correction.

摘要

We have invented methods of and devices for introducing unequal error protection into spread spectrum communication systems. One embodiment of the invention addresses certain inefficiencies of the standard known as IS-95 used, for example, in some mobile direct sequence code division multiple access ("DS-CDMA") phone systems. The invention allows for increased system capacity and/or improved quality. More specifically, spread spectrum multiple access ("SSMA") coding may be combined with the concept of unequal error protection ("UEP"), resulting in an UEP SSMA coding process. The present invention's coding process (VC UEP SSMA) utilizes bandwidth in a closer to optimal manner than known methods and may be implemented using a first and a second channel encoder for generating a first and a second encoded segment of a signal operating at different rates.