A priority-based random access spread-spectrum protocol for integrated voice/data packet networks

In this paper we propose and evaluate a multiple access protocol for synchronous cellular packet direct-sequence code-division multiple access (DS-CDMA) networks. Most CDMA systems assign a unique spreading code to each terminal, here a joint TDMA/CDMA protocol, which allows all terminals to share a group of spreading codes, is presented. Two service classes are provided; a best-effort "datagram" service with priority queues and a guaranteed bandwidth circuit service. The performance of the protocol is evaluated via simulation. Two performance measures are used to assess the protocol; voice packet dropping probability and data packet delay.