What is CHIRP SPREAD SPECTRUM? What does CHIRP SPREAD SPECTRUM mean?

CHIRP SPREAD
SPECTRUM meaning - CHIRP SPREAD SPECTRUM definition - CHIRP SPREAD SPECTRUM explanation.

Source: Wikipedia.org article, adapted under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... license.

In digital communications, chirp spread spectrum (CSS) is a spread spectrum technique that uses
wideband linear frequency modulated chirp pulses to encode information. A chirp is a sinusoidal signal
whose frequency increases or decreases over time (often with a polynomial expression for the
relationship between time and frequency). In the picture is an example of an upchirp in which the
frequency increases linearly over time.

As with other spread spectrum methods, chirp spread spectrum uses its entire allocated bandwidth to
broadcast a signal, making it robust to channel noise. Further, because the chirps utilize a broad band of
the spectrum, chirp spread spectrum is also resistant to multi-path fading even when operating at very
low power. However, it is unlike direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) or frequency-hopping spread
spectrum (FHSS) in that it does not add any pseudo-random elements to the signal to help distinguish it
from noise on the channel, instead relying on the linear nature of the chirp pulse. Additionally, chirp
spread spectrum is resistant to the Doppler effect, which is typical in mobile radio applications.

Chirp spread spectrum was originally designed to compete with ultra-wideband for precision ranging
and low-rate wireless networks in the 2.45 GHz band. However, since the release of IEEE 802.15.4a (also
known as IEEE 802.15.4a-2007), it is no longer actively being considered by the IEEE for standardization
in the area of precision ranging. Currently, Nanotron Technologies, which produces real-time location
devices and was the primary force behind getting CSS added to IEEE 802.15.4a, is the only seller of
wireless devices using CSS. In particular, their primary product, the nanoLOC TRX transceiver, uses CSS
and is marketed as a network device with real-time location and RFID abilities. Some areas where this
type of technology can be useful are medical applications, logistics (i.e. containers need to be tracked),
and government/security applications.

Chirp spread spectrum is ideal for applications requiring low power usage and needing relatively low
data rates (1 Mbit/s or less). In particular, IEEE 802.15.4a specifies CSS as a technique for use in Low-
Rate Wireless Personal Area Networks (LR-WPAN). However, whereas IEEE 802.15.4-2006 standard
specifies that WPANs encompass an area of 10 m or less, IEEE 802.15.4a-2007, specifies CSS as a
physical layer to be used when longer ranges and devices moving at high speeds are part of your
network. Nanotron's CSS implementation was actually seen to work at a range of 570 meters between
devices. Further, Nanotron's implementation can work at data rates of up to 2 Mbit/s - higher than
specified in 802.15.4a. Finally, the IEEE 802.15.4a PHY standard actually mixes CSS encoding techniques
with differential phase shift keying modulation (DPSK) to achieve better data rates.

Chirp spread spectrum may also be used in the future for military applications as it is very difficult to
detect and intercept when operating at low power.

Very similar frequency swept waveforms are used in frequency modulated continuous wave radars to
measure range (distance); an unmodulated continuous wave Doppler radar can only measure range-rate
(relative velocity along the line of sight). FM-CW radars are very widely used as radio altimeters in
aircraft.

Channel Frequency Modulation / BW

0 865.400 MHz MultiSF 125 kHz

1 865.600 MHz MultiSF 125 kHz

2 865.800 MHz MultiSF 125 kHz

3 866.000 MHz MultiSF 125 kHz

4 866.200 MHz MultiSF 125 kHz

5 866.400 MHz MultiSF 125 kHz

6 866.600 MHz MultiSF 125 kHz

7 866.800 MHz MultiSF 125 kHz

LoRa 865.700 MHz SF7 250 kHz

FSK 865.700 MHz FSK 250 kHz, 64 kbps

RX2 channel (downlink)

Channel Frequency Modulation / BW

RX2 865.200 MHz SF12 125 kHz