SBIR-STTR Award

Advanced Multiple Access for Wireless Communications
Award last edited on: 3/26/2002

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : DARPA
Total Award Amount
$850,000
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
DARPA93-001
Principal Investigator
Norman Abramson

Company Information

Hokupa`a Technologies (AKA: ALOHA Networks Inc~DataBase Associates)

521 Lake Street
San Francisco, CA 94118
   (415) 666-3223
   info@hokupaa.net
   www.hokupaa.net
Location: Single
Congr. District: 11
County: San Francisco

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
1994
Phase I Amount
$100,000
Multiple access protocols are used to permit large numbers of independent transmitters to share a common communication channel. CDMA was developed as a multiple access network protocol for military applications during the last forty years. Recently considerable interest in using CDMA in the civilian sector has been evident. The implementation of CDMA multiple access networks is difficult because of the use of a different spreading code for each transmitter in a given network. In addition the use of different codes for each transmitter leads to system complexities which limit the suitability of CDMA networks for certain kinds of data network applications. Recent research has shown that the use of different codes in CDMA systems is not necessary for most applications in the civilian sector, and may not be desirable even in some military applications. In this proposal we describe an applied development program to development program to develop this advanced form of CDMA. Anticipated

Benefits:
The results of this development program can be used to build simpler, less expensive wireless data networks for mobile/nomadic laptop computers, personal digital assistants and information appliances, in-vehicle navigation and mapping systems, and work-in-progress tracking devices for automated factories.

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
1996
Phase II Amount
$750,000
Spread ALOHA is an advanced multiple access technology which can provide the multiple access capabilities required for digital networks with large numbers of remote radio linked terminals. Spread ALOHA combines the proven simplicity and operational flexibility of an ALOHA multiple access channel with the high bandwidth and high throughput of a spread spectrum channel. Since Spread ALOHA is a data limited technology it is possible to support an unlimited number of users within a single Spread ALOHA channel, subject only to a limit on the aggregate data rate of the users. In phase II of this SBIR research program we plan to build a Spread ALOHA packet radio data network employing three advanced features investigated in Phase I --- a new form of data broadcast timing control, a powerful interference control algorithm and low sidelobe spreading codes. The network, consisting of a single hub station and 10 remote terminals, will operate at 3 megabits per second.

Benefits:
The Spread ALOHA enabling technology that is the subject of this proposal makes possible low cost, reliable multiple access communications for packet radio and satellite data networks. Spread ALOHA multiple access can provide a ubiquitous national tetherless data communications network operating at a rate greater than 3Mbs.