A robust cell search algorithm for 3GPP LTE

Mobility handling and performance is of major importance for the 3GPP long term evolution (LTE) system. Therefore it is important for mobile devices to use reliable and robust algorithms for the cell search procedure, i.e. the procedure to detect neighbouring cells that can be used as potential handover candidates. We present a novel, low complexity, robust cell search scheme for LTE. The scheme uses a non-coherent approach and is therefore robust against Doppler spread and phase shifts due to sampling time instant mismatch, which makes it suitable for use in synchronized LTE TDD systems, as well as in high speed scenarios like high speed trains. This paper describes the theory behind the algorithm, and simulation results for LTE TDD showing its superior performance over coherent cell search algorithms are also presented.