A wireless spread spectrum communication system for transmitting data includes
a plurality of end point transmitters and at least one receiver. The end point
transmitters transmit data via a frequency hopped spread spectrum signal where
the transmitting signal is sent without the benefit of frequency stabilization.
The receiver is responsive to the frequency hopping spread spectrum signals and
includes a correlator and a signal processor. The correlator samples at least a
first portion of a preamble of the signal and correlates the portion of the preamble
with a known preamble pattern to determine a probability of correlation. The signal
processor applies a Fast Fourier Transform algorithm to the signal in response
to the probability of correlation to track a narrowband frequency of the signal
based on at least a second portion of the preamble and to decode data encoded within
the signal subsequent to the preamble.