Spreading vs. Scrambling: Understanding the Differences

spreading
scrambling
cdma
wireless communication
signal processing

This page describes the difference between spreading and scrambling. Both techniques are used to spread energy over a wider frequency band. This is beneficial because it helps prevent unauthorized access to the signal. The spread signal power is typically below the noise power level.

A user who knows the spreading code (a PN code or channelization code) can “despread” the spread signal. Similarly, a user who knows the scrambling code can “descramble” the scrambled signal. As illustrated in the figures below, both spreading and scrambling utilize XOR circuits.

Spreading

Spreading Image alt: Spreading

In the spreading process, the binary data stream is XORed with a high bit rate PN code (channelization code or spreading code). The resulting sequence has the same bit rate as the PN code. This effectively spreads the data across a larger bandwidth, reducing the power spectral density and pushing it below the noise floor.

At the receiver, a user with the correct PN code (identical to the one used at the transmitter) can despread the signal, recovering the original data.

Scrambling

Scrambling Image alt: Scrambling

In scrambling, the binary data is input to a scrambler, which typically consists of a shift register and XOR gates. The primary purpose of scrambling is to remove long strings of consecutive ‘1’s or ‘0’s and randomize the data. This randomization lowers the energy within a specific channel and helps mitigate the effects of adjacent channel interference.

Key Differences

FeatureSpreadingScrambling
Primary GoalSpread signal over a wider bandwidthRandomize data to reduce peak power and interference
Code UsedPN code (Spreading or Channelization Code)Pseudo-random sequence generated by a shift register
ImplementationXOR with a high bit rate codeShift register and XOR gates
ApplicationCDMA, secure communicationCommunication systems to reduce interference
CDMA MATLAB Code for Simulation

CDMA MATLAB Code for Simulation

Explore CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) with this MATLAB source code. Simulate CDMA transmission and reception, including BER analysis over AWGN.

cdma
matlab
simulation
OFDM MATLAB Code Implementation

OFDM MATLAB Code Implementation

Explore a basic OFDM transmitter and receiver chain implemented in MATLAB, including code for modulation, IFFT, cyclic prefix, and more.

ofdm
matlab
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