System and method for multiple access short message communications

In a communications system having a plurality of transmitters for transmitting bursts of data and a plurality of receivers for reception of the bursts of data, a method for allowing the plurality of transmitters to transmit bursts of data at a same time and at a predetermined frequency, the method comprising the steps of:

• synchronizing the plurality of transmitters to a common timing reference thereby abating the need to provide synchronization between the plurality of transmitters and the plurality of receivers;
• defining a time division multiple access (TDMA) superframe that includes a plurality of TDMA frames whereby each TDMA frame includes a plurality of time slots for transmission of the bursts of data by the plurality of transmitters;
• specifying a transmit opportunity for each of the plurality of transmitters including assigning each of the plurality of transmitters (i) a time slot within the plurality of TDMA frames for transmission, (ii) a position for specifying a first frame within the TDMA superframe for transmission, and (iii) an interval for specifying a number of frames between successive transmissions of the bursts of data;
• and
• spectrum spreading each of the bursts of data thereby permitting more than one of the plurality of transmitters to transmit at a same time and at the predetermined frequency.

A communications system utilizing time division multiple access (TDMA) and code division multiple access (CDMA) techniques for efficiently transmitting bursts of data, comprising:

• means for defining a TDMA superframe for specifying a plurality of time slots for transmitting bursts of data;
• a timing reference for generating a precise timing signal and a corresponding precise time reference;
• a plurality of transmitters, each coupled to the timing reference, for transmitting bursts of data at precise times and time intervals and at a predetermined frequency within the TDMA superframe wherein the bursts of data is modulated with a carrier and is multiplied with a spreading sequence;
• thereby permitting more than one of the plurality of transmitters to transmit at a same time and at the predetermined frequency;
• and
• a plurality of receivers for reception of the burst of data by the plurality of transmitters whereby synchronization between the plurality of transmitters and the plurality of receivers is not needed.