Data throughput in a multi-rate CDMA reverse link: comparing optimal spatial combining vs. maximal ratio combining

The reverse link (mobile to base station) average data rate carrying capacity of a CDMA communications system is analyzed comparing different antenna array spatial combining algorithms: optimum combining (OC) versus maximal ratio combining (MRC) in a multiuser system employing multi-rate traffic (combined voice and data users) over Rayleigh fading channels. Typical CDMA power and interference relationships for an embedded multi-cell CDMA reverse link are discussed in the context of spatial OC algorithms and related to the total reverse link data throughput. Other-cell interference and chosen system rise-over-thermal metrics are found to limit the possible gain increase using OC vs. MRC.