Multiple access communication system

Claim 2

In a system comprising synchronized encoders and decoders, a method for encoding an input data stream partitioned into frames in each of the encoders to produce a corresponding output data stream at a given rate detectable by at least one of the decoders, with each data stream comprising zero and non-zero states, said method of CHARACTERIZED BY THE STEPS OF associating a code vector from a bistate orthogonal code with the input stream, said code selected in correspondence to predetermined transmission characteristics of the system, and for each non-zero state in the input stream, generating a rate-increased data stream as determined by said code vector to represent said each non-zero state in the output stream, wherein each of the frames is subdivided into K chip intervals and said code comprises code vectors having M<K pulses, and wherein each code vector is expressed as <d.sub.1, d.sub.2, . . . , d.sub.M > with d i equaling the delay between the i th and (i+1) st pulses for 1≦i≦M-1 and ##EQU14## said vectors selected so that, when superimposed and continuously processed over successive ones of the frames, exhibit the following two properties: (i) delays detected by differenct ones of the decoders are distinct , and (ii) a delay detected by some of the decoders occurs at most once in the K intervals.

Claim 3

The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said chip intervals have an associated chip propagation rate and wherein the step of generating a rate-increased data stream comprises the steps of assigning each chip interval a zero or non-zero state in correspondence to the elements of said code vector, and sequentially emitting the asigned chip interval states at said chip rate to form said rate-increased data stream.

Claim 4

The method as recited in claim 2 wherein each data stream is composed of binary bits with logic one level corresponding to said non-zero state.

Claim 7

In a synchronized system comprising transmitters and receivers, a method for encoding a plurality of input binary streams partitioned into frames in each transmitter to produce a corresponding plurality of output data streams detectable by predetermined receivers, said method CHARACTERIZED BY THE STEPS OF storing a set of bistate orthogonal code vectors from a preselected code in an addressable memory in each of the transmitters and assigning each said code vectors to one of said input streams, said set selected in correspondence to predetermined system requirements, and for each binary one in each of the input streams, accessing said memory to identify said assigned code vector associated with said each of the input streams and syschronously generating a rate-increased binary stream in correspondence to said identified code vector as the substitute for said binary one in the corresponding stream from the output streams, wherein each of the frames is subdivided into K chip intervals and said code comprises code vectors having M≦K pulses, and wherein each code vector is expressed as <d.sub.1, d.sub.2, . . . , d.sub.M > with d i equaling the delay between the i th and (i+1) st pulses for 1>i≦M-1 and ##EQU16## said vectors selected so that, when superimposed and continuously processed over successive ones of the frames, exhibit the following two properties: (i) delays detected by different ones of the decoders are distinct, and (ii) a delay detected by some of the decoders occurs at most once in the K intervals.

Claim 8

In a synchronized system comprising transmitters and receivers, a method for encoding a plurality of input binary streams partitioned into frames in each transmitter to produce a corresponding plurality of output data streams detectable by predetermined receivers, said method CHARACTERIZED BY THE STEPS OF storing a set of bistate orthogonal code vectors from a preselected code in an addressable memory in each of the transmitters and assigning each said code vectors to one of said input streams, said set selected in correspondence to predetermined system requirements, and for each binary one in each of the input streams, accessing said memory to identify said assigned code vector associated with said each of the input streams and syschronously generating a rate-increased binary stream in correspondence to said identified code vector as the substitute for said binary one in the corresponding stream from the output streams, wherein each of the frames is subdivided into K chip intervals and said code comprises code vectors having M≦K pulses, and wherein each code vector is expressed as <d.sub.1, d.sub.2, . . . , d.sub.M > with d i equaling the delay between the i th and (i+1) st pulses for 1>i≦M-1 and ##EQU16## said vectors selected so that, when superimposed and continuously processed over successive ones of the frames, exhibit the following two properties: (i) delays detected by different ones of the decoders are distinct, and (ii) a delay detected by some of the decoders occurs at most once in the K intervals.

Claim 11

In combination, an optical communication path, a plurality of encoders and decoders, each of the encoders comprising a source of light pulses, means responsive to an input binary stream partitioned into frames for enabling said source to generate light pulses in correspondence to components of a code vector from a bistate orthogonal code, and means, coupled to said means for enabling, for propagating said pulses as a rate-increased output stream onto said path, and means for synchronizing said encoders and decoders to detect said output stream with a corresponding one of the decoders, wherein each of the frames is subdivided into K chip intervals and said code comprises code vectors having M<K pulses, and wherein each code vector is expresses as <d.sub.1, d.sub.2, . . . , d.sub.M > with d i equaling the delay between the i th and (i+1) st pulses for 1≦i≦M-1 and ##EQU18## said vectors selected so that, when superimposed and continuously processed over successive ones of the frames, exhibit the following two properties: (i) delays detected by different ones of the decoders are distinct, and (ii) a delay detected by some of the decoders occurs at most once in the K intervals.

Claim 12

In combination, an optical communication path, a plurality of encoders and decoders, each of the encoders comprising a source of light pulses, means responsive to an input binary stream partitioned into frames for enabling said source to generate light pulses in correspondence to components of a code vector from a bistate orthogonal code, and means, coupled to said means for enabling, for propagating said pulses as a rate-increased output stream onto said path, and means for synchronizing said encoders and decoders to detect said output stream with a corresponding one of the decoders, wherein each of the frames is subdivided into K chip intervals and said code comprises code vectors having M<K pulses, and wherein each code vector is expresses as <d.sub.1, d.sub.2, . . . , d.sub.M > with d i equaling the delay between the i th and (i+1) st pulses for 1≦i≦M-1 and ##EQU18## said vectors selected so that, when superimposed and continuously processed over successive ones of the frames, exhibit the following two properties: (i) delays detected by different ones of the decoders are distinct, and (ii) a delay detected by some of the decoders occurs at most once in the K intervals.

Claim 13

Circuitry comprising decoders for decoding a rate-increased data stream partitioned into frames propagating over a communication path, the stream formed in each of a plurality of encoders by associating a code vector from a bistate orthogonal code with each binary one in an input data stream and by transmitting a series of pulses during intervals determined by the code for each binary one in the input stream, said circuitry CHARACTERIZED BY means for synchronizing the decoders and the encoders, means associated with each of the decoders, in energy transfer relation to the path at the detection points corresponding to the distribution of components of the code vector, for sensing on the path an array of sensed signals, and means, coupled to said means for sensing, for processing said sensed signals and for providing a decoded signal whenever a series of pulses corrsponding to the code vector propagates along the path, wherein each of the frames is subdivided into K chip intervals and said code comprises code vectors having M<K puses, and wherein each code vector is expresses as <d.sub.1, d.sub.2, . . . d.sub.M > with d i equaling the delay between the i th and (i+1) st pulses for 1≦i≦M-1 and ##EQU19## said vector selected so that, when superimposed and continuously processed over successive ones of the frames, exhibit the following two properties: (i) delays detected by differenct ones of the decoders are distinct, and (ii) a delay detected by some of the decoders occurs at most once in the K intervals.

Claim 14

Circuitry comprising decoders for decoding a rate-increased data stream partitioned into frames propagating over a communication path, the stream formed in each of a plurality of encoders by associating a code vector from a bistate orthogonal code with each binary one in an input data stream and by transmitting a series of pulses during intervals determined by the code for each binary one in the input stream, said circuitry CHARACTERIZED BY means for synchronizing the decoders and the encoders, means associated with each of the decoders, in energy transfer relation to the path at the detection points corresponding to the distribution of components of the code vector, for sensing on the path an array of sensed signals, and means, coupled to said means for sensing, for processing said sensed signals and for providing a decoded signal whenever a series of pulses corrsponding to the code vector propagates along the path, wherein each of the frames is subdivided into K chip intervals and said code comprises code vectors having M<K puses, and wherein each code vector is expresses as <d.sub.1, d.sub.2, . . . d.sub.M > with d i equaling the delay between the i th and (i+1) st pulses for 1≦i≦M-1 and ##EQU19## said vector selected so that, when superimposed and continuously processed over successive ones of the frames, exhibit the following two properties: (i) delays detected by differenct ones of the decoders are distinct, and (ii) a delay detected by some of the decoders occurs at most once in the K intervals.

Claim 17

In a binary communication system having a plurality of autonomous encoders and decoders connected to a common channel, a method comprising the steps of associating a unique decoder and a code vector from a bistate orthogonal code pattern with each encoder and configuring each decoder according to the code vector of its associated encoder, synchronizing the encoders and decoders, and for each binary one input to each encoder, propagating over the channel a rate-increased data stream partitioned into frames as determined by the code vector associated with the encoder, wherein each of the frames is subdivided into K chip intervals and said code comprises vectors having M<K pulses, and wherein each code vector is expressed as <d.sub.1, d.sub.2, . . . , d.sub.M > with d i equaling the delay between the i th and (i+1) st pulses for 1≦i≦M-1 and ##EQU21## said vectors selected so that, when superimposed and continuously processed over successive ones of the frames, exhibit the following two properties: (i) delays detected by different ones of the decoders are distinct , and (ii) a delay detected by some of the decoders occurs at most once in the K intervals.

Claim 18

In a binary communication system having a plurality of autonomous encoders and decoders connected to a common channel, a method comprising the steps of associating a unique decoder and a code vector from a bistate orthogonal code pattern with each encoder and configuring each decoder according to the code vector of its associated encoder, synchronizing the encoders and decoders, and for each binary one input to each encoder, propagating over the channel a rate-increased data stream partitioned into frames as determined by the code vector associated with the encoder, wherein each of the frames is subdivided into K chip intervals and said code comprises vectors having M<K pulses, and wherein each code vector is expressed as <d.sub.1, d.sub.2, . . . , d.sub.M > with d i equaling the delay between the i th and (i+1) st pulses for 1≦i≦M-1 and ##EQU21## said vectors selected so that, when superimposed and continuously processed over successive ones of the frames, exhibit the following two properties: (i) delays detected by different ones of the decoders are distinct , and (ii) a delay detected by some of the decoders occurs at most once in the K intervals.

Claim 21

The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the step of processing includes the step of enabling said sensor array for preselected durations in correspondence to said frames.

Claim 22

The method as recited in claim 11 wherein the step of arranging a sensor array in energy transfer relation comprises the step of coupling energy detectors to the path at said detection points.

Claim 23

The method as recited in claim 11 wherein said path comprises a fiber optic cable, wherein the step of arranging a sensor array i energy transfer relation to the path includes the steps of tapping electro-optical energy from said cable at said detection points, and feeding said electro-optical energy to a photodetectpr arrangement to provide a received signal as said output of said sensor array, and wherein said step of processing includes the steps of threshold detecting said received signal to produce a threshold signal, and generating said decoded signal whenever said threshold signal is above a predetermined threshold.