What characterizes spread spectrum communication?

Spread spectrum communication is characterized by wide-bandwidth signals. This technique involves spreading a signal over a larger bandwidth than the minimum bandwidth necessary to transmit the information. The primary advantages of this approach include increased resistance to interference and jamming, improved security through signal dispersion, and better performance in multipath environments.

Wide-bandwidth signals make it possible to occupy a larger spectrum, which can help in reducing the likelihood of interference from other signals. This characteristic is essential in various applications, such as GPS, wireless networking (like Wi-Fi), and cellular communications, where multiple simultaneous signals can compete for bandwidth. The dispersion of the signal also contributes to better overall reliability and efficiency in data transmission.