Methods, apparatuses and system for asynchronous spread-spectrum communication

A method of receiving data packets asynchronously transmitted by a plurality of user terminals using a spread-spectrum medium access protocol, comprising a step of cancelling interferences between colliding packets according to an innovative "sliding window" processing algorithm. A gateway receiver adapted for carrying out interference cancellation according to said algorithm. A method for controlling asynchronous packet transmission from a user terminal, comprising estimating a parameter indicative of the quality of information transmission through a communication channel; and inhibiting or allowing data transmission depending on a comparison between said estimated parameter and an adaptively varying threshold. A user terminal comprising transmission control means adapted for carrying out such a method. A communication system comprising a plurality of mobile user terminal communicating with a gateway through a satellite channel using an asynchronous spread-spectrum medium access protocol without closed-loop power control, wherein said user terminals and said gateway are of the kind described above.