spread spectrum

Spread spectrum is a type of modulation that scatters data transmissions across the available frequency band in a pseudorandom pattern. Spreading the data across the frequency spectrum makes the signal resistant to noise, interference, and snooping. Spread-spectrum modulation schemes are commonly used with personal communication devices such as digital cellular phones, as well as with wireless local area networks (LANs) and cable modems.

See also: CDMA, S-CDMA