This paper introduces the development of new multiple sequence families. It is demonstrated that these multiple sequence families possess good auto- and cross-correlation properties. In the construction, multiple sets of binary sequences with each sequence of length p/sup 2/ and each families with p sequences are generated. The construction algorithm could be easily implemented in hardware. From the efficient hardware architecture devised, it is shown that rapid switching between generating different distinct sequences is possible. An application for the multiple sequence families in secure spread spectrum watermarking is investigated. In this application it is shown how the efficient hardware architecture for sequence generation could be useful and how it could improve the overall security of the watermarking scheme.