Lesson 16 — EP for Communications

The same spread-spectrum instinct that protects a radar protects a data link. We smear a narrowband signal into noise with DSSS and FHSS, quantify the processing gain that lets a link survive a louder jammer, and ride a signal below the noise floor.

Reading

EP for Communications

Why narrowband is easy to jam, DSSS vs FHSS, processing gain $=10\log_{10}N_\text{chips}$, J/S relief, and LPD.

Flashcards

Review deck

Key terms and relations from the lesson, in a self-test deck.

Demo

Spread-Spectrum Playground

Despread a signal to concentrate it and spread the jammer, and watch the BER collapse as $G_p$ clears the deficit.

Pre-flight

Pre-flight quiz

Pre-class check, due before the lesson. Counts toward your IP grade.