Aspects of the present disclosure provide a scheme for generating a multiple access (MA) signal that include mapping each of at least one stream of bits to generate a set of modulated symbols and transmitting the set of modulated symbols. The spreading signatures that are selected to map the at least one stream of bits are selected, at least in part, based on a set of compatibility rules. The spreading involves mapping each stream of bits using a respective spreading signature from a set of spreading signatures to generate a respective set of modulated symbols, wherein real spreading signature components of the spreading signatures are orthogonal to each other and imaginary spreading signature components of the spreading signatures are orthogonal to each other.