System and method employing two hop spread spectrum signal transmissions

Abstract

In a data communication system including a plurality of small earth stations (SES), a satellite, and a master earth station (MES), a method of transmitting signal transmissions, each consisting of a series of bit representing pseudo random sequences (PRS), each consisting of N time synchronous chips between the SESs. The steps of the method include generating at selected SESs a stream of PRS signals having bit and chip rates B.sub.SES and C.sub.SES and having pause periods that occur periodically in the stream of PRS signals, transmitting the PRS signals via the satellite to the MES as a single composite signal, B.sub.SES, determining if each B.sub.SES, C.sub.SES and the pause periods of all of the PRS signals from the SESs are in common phase synchronization with each other as they arrive at the MES, generating an error correction code (ECC) which defines the amount and direction of phase deviation of any of B.sub.SES, C.sub.SES or pause periods from common phase synchronization, transmitting the composite signal from the MES to the SESs with common periodic pause periods therein and with the ECC signal contained in such common pause periods, and correcting the phase of B.sub.SES, C.sub.SES, and the pause period of each PRS.sub.SES at the SESs so that they are phase synchronized with each other at the MES.