Gold code
A Gold code, also known as Gold sequence, is a type of binary sequence used in telecommunications (CDMA) and satellite navigation (GPS). Gold codes are named after Robert Gold. Gold codes have bounded small cross-correlations within a set, which is useful when multiple devices are broadcasting in the same frequency range. A set of Gold code sequences consists of 2n + 1 sequences each one with a period of 2n − 1. A set of Gold codes can be generated with the following steps. Pick two maximum length sequences of the same length 2n − 1 such that their absolute cross-correlation is less than or equal to 2(n+2)/2, where n is the size of the linear-feedback shift register used to generate the maximum length sequence. The set of the 2n − 1 exclusive-ors of the two sequences in their various phases (i.e. translated into all relative positions) together with the two maximum length sequences form a set of 2n + 1 Gold code sequences. The highest absolute cross-correlation in this set of codes is 2(n+2)/2 + 1 for even n and 2(n+1)/2 + 1 for odd n. The exclusive or of two different Gold codes from the same set is another Gold code in some phase. Within a set of Gold codes about half of the codes are balanced – the number of ones and zeros differs by only one. Gold codes are used in GPS. The GPS C/A ranging codes are Gold codes of period 1,023.
 | This article may be confusing or unclear to readers. In particular, why are these codes used? What advantage do they offer? Maybe add some form of example of a set of codes. (December 2025) |
A Gold code, also known as Gold sequence, is a type of binary sequence used in telecommunications (CDMA)[1] and satellite navigation (GPS).[2] Gold codes are named after Robert Gold.[3][4] Gold codes have bounded small cross-correlations within a set, which is useful when multiple devices are broadcasting in the same frequency range. A set of Gold code sequences consists of 2n + 1 sequences each one with a period of 2n − 1.
A set of Gold codes can be generated with the following steps. Pick two maximum length sequences of the same length 2n − 1 such that their absolute cross-correlation is less than or equal to 2(n+2)/2, where n is the size of the linear-feedback shift register used to generate the maximum length sequence.[4] The set of the 2n − 1 exclusive-ors of the two sequences in their various phases (i.e. translated into all relative positions) together with the two maximum length sequences form a set of 2n + 1 Gold code sequences. The highest absolute cross-correlation in this set of codes is 2(n+2)/2 + 1 for even n and 2(n+1)/2 + 1 for odd n.
The exclusive or of two different Gold codes from the same set is another Gold code in some phase.
Within a set of Gold codes about half of the codes are balanced – the number of ones and zeros differs by only one.[5]
Gold codes are used in GPS. The GPS C/A ranging codes are Gold codes of period 1,023.
See also
[edit]- Hadamard code
- Hamming code
- JPL code
- Kasami code
- Zadoff–Chu sequence
- Complementary sequences
- Space Network – a NASA system that uses Gold codes
References
[edit]- ^ George, Maria; Hamid, Mujtaba; Miller, Andy (2001-01-10). "Gold Code Generators in Virtex Devices" (PDF). Virtex Series, Virtex-II Series, and Spartan-II family (Application note). 1.1. Xilinx. XAPP217. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-07-05. (9 pages)
- ^ "Transmitted GPS Signals". The GPS System. kowoma GPS. 2009-04-19.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "Robert Gold, BS, MS, Ph.D." Robert Gold Comm Systems. 2011. Archived from the original on 2017-06-24. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
- ^ a b Gold, Robert (October 1967). "Optimal binary sequences for spread spectrum multiplexing". IEEE Transactions on Information Theory (Correspondence). IT-13 (4): 619–621. doi:10.1109/TIT.1967.1054048.
- ^ Holmes, Jack K. (2007-06-30). Spread Spectrum Systems for GNSS and Wireless Communications. GNSS Technology and Applications Series. Vol. 45. Artech House. p. 100. ISBN 978-1-59693-083-4.
Further reading
[edit]- Goiser, Alois M. J. (1998). "4.3.2. Gold-Folgen" [Gold sequences]. Handbuch der Spread-Spectrum Technik [Handbook of the spread-spectrum technique] (in German) (1 ed.). Vienna, Austria: Springer Verlag. ISBN 3-211-83080-4.
- Skaug, Reidar; Hjelmstad, Jens F. (1985). "Coding for bandwidth spreading". In Flood, J. E.; Hughes, C. J. (eds.). Spread Spectrum in Communication. IEE Telecommunications Series. Vol. 12 (1 ed.). London, UK: Peter Peregrinus Ltd. / The Institution of Electrical Engineers. pp. 82–. ISBN 0-86341-034-0. (xii+201+1 pages)
- Rudolph, Dietmar; Rudolph, Matthias (2011-04-12). "46.3.1 Gold-Codes". Modulationsverfahren (PDF) (in German). Cottbus, Germany: Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU). pp. 212–214. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-06-16. Retrieved 2021-06-14. (xiv+225 pages)