1. A method of allocating spreading codes in a spread spectrum communication system, the spreading codes being mutually related according to a tree-like structure having levels corresponding to communication channel bandwidths, comprising the steps of:', '(a) setting a search level in a tree-like structure;', '(b) determining whether the search level corresponds to a requested bandwidth for a communication channel;', '(c) if the search level differs from the requested bandwidth, selecting a spreading code at a different level and repeating step (b) until the search level corresponds to the requested bandwidth for the communication channel;', '(d) determining whether a spreading code at the search level is eligible to be allocated to the communication channel; and', '(e) selecting an eligible spreading code for allocation to the communication channel.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:', '(f) repeating steps (a) through (e) for at least one other tree-like structure;', '(g) comparing eligible spreading codes selected from the tree-like structures; and (h) selecting an eligible spreading code for allocation to the communication channel based on the comparison.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when step (d) determines a lack of an eligible spreading code, the steps of:', '(i) determining whether a total free bandwidth of unallocated spreading codes is at least equal to the requested bandwidth; (j) if the total free bandwidth is less than the requested bandwidth, indicating that the requested bandwidth is not available;', '(k) if the total free bandwidth is at least equal to the requested bandwidth, selecting a spreading code allocated to another communication channel for re-allocation to the communication channel; and (1) allocating a new spreading code to the other communication channel.']