Method and apparatus for processing spread spectrum signals

Abstract

In order to avoid the need for individual RF down-converters in each channel of a spread spectrum adaptive array receiver, means are provided for frequency offsetting the received spread spectrum signals in each antenna array element from spread spectrum signals in the other array elements. The frequency offset signals are summed to form a broadband composite signal of spread spectrum signals separated from one another by the frequency offsets. After summing, the spread spectrum signals in the composite broadband signal are despread to form a narrowband composite signal having narrowband signals separated by the frequency offset. Since the resulting composite despread signal has a relatively narrow bandwidth, it can be passed through a single common receiver. Accordingly, the input to an adaptive array processor from the receiver is a low frequency relatively narrow signal. This significantly reduces the tracking requirements of the adaptive array processor and allows for significant reduction in costs, weight and size of the adaptive array processor in addition to the elimination of unnecessary RF down-converters.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.