This research investigates the application of multiuser detection to Code Division Multiple Access for cellular communications. This investigation focuses on the use of multiuser receivers at the base station of mobile radio systems. The first two chapters are dedicated to multiuser detection in general. An extensive literature survey is performed on the research concerning multiuser receivers to date. Six major receiver structures are chosen for extensive simulation studies. The bit error rate performance of these receivers is investigated in several system environments. Additionally, practical issues are considered such as computational complexity and robustness to code tracking errors. From this work, one receiver structure is identified for further study, namely multistage interference cancellation. The theoretical performance of this receiver is analyzed using a standard Gaussian Approximation and an Improved Gaussian Approximation for AWGN and fading environments. Additionally, the resistance of the receiver to interference energy levels is explored. Parameter estimation is an important issue for interference cancellation. Simple methods of improving parameter estimation are examined, as is the effect of parameter estimation error on system performance. A baseband hardware implementation is detailed and several design challenges are presented. Results are given for the performance of the implemented receiver and shown to match well with theory and computer simulation. Finally, the implications of this research are discussed. / Ph. D.