CDMA

Code Division Multiple Access

A digital cellular technology used in telecommunications for transmitting voice, data, and other digital information over wireless networks. CDMA is one of the multiple access techniques used to allocate channels and allow multiple users to share the same frequency spectrum simultaneously.

Unlike GSM, which uses Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), CDMA utilizes a different approach called spread spectrum technology. CDMA assigns a unique code to each user, which is then used to modulate the signal. These coded signals are spread over the entire frequency band, allowing multiple users to transmit simultaneously without interfering with each other.

Key features of CDMA include:

1. Increased Capacity: CDMA offers higher capacity compared to analog systems and other digital technologies like GSM. The spread spectrum technique allows for more efficient use of the available spectrum, enabling more simultaneous connections.
2. Improved Call Quality: CDMA provides enhanced call quality and clarity by reducing background noise and interference.
3. Enhanced Security: The unique codes assigned to each user in CDMA provide inherent security as signals appear as noise to unauthorized receivers.
4. Soft Handoff: CDMA supports seamless handoffs between cell sites, allowing users to move across cell boundaries without experiencing dropped calls or interruptions.

CDMA has been widely used in various cellular technologies, including 2G (such as CDMA2000), 3G (such as EV-DO), and some early 4G networks. However, with the proliferation of 4G-LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and the subsequent adoption of 5G technologies, CDMA has become less prevalent in recent years.

It’s worth noting that CDMA and GSM are different cellular technologies, each with its own advantages and characteristics. While CDMA has been widely used in some regions, GSM has been the dominant technology globally.

• Abbreviation: CDMA