A system for wireless asset tracking is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of mobile devices. Each mobile device performs two spreading operations with two distinct PN codes, a first PN code and a second PN code. Data is transmitted by each mobile device using a burst direct sequence spread spectrum radio signal. The system also includes at least three base stations. Each base station is configured to receive the burst direct sequence spread spectrum radio signals from the mobile devices which includes decoding the signals by first de-spreading with the second PN code and second de-spreading with the first PN code. Each base station is further configured to add a timestamp to each data packet received. A system for calculating the location of the mobile devices creates location information for each mobile device by calculating the time difference of arrival of received bursts for each base station.