When to synchronize in uplink CDMA

In this contribution, the performance of an uplink CDMA system with orthogonal spreading is analyzed. A useful framework is provided in order to determine if synchronization of the users gives a significant performance improvement. Using asymptotic arguments, analytical expressions of the spectral efficiency for the matched filter and Successive interference cancellation matched filter are derived. The results, applied in the general case of a multipath channel, provide a simple expression of the cell capacity based only on a few meaningful parameters