Initial cell search procedure in WCDMA - an improved algorithm for FDD

The initial search procedure in WCDMA is used to identify the scrambling code used by the base station that has the lowest path loss coefficient of the received signal, among all the other base stations. Before this action, the slot synchronization, frame synchronization and code-group identification must be performed. This paper deals with an optimized algorithm for the initial search procedure performed by a mobile station every time when it wants to access network services in UMTS. We have focused on the second step of the initial search procedure: frame synchronization and code-group identification. The algorithm minimizes the acquiring time of the scrambling code group, further used for identify the scrambling code of the selected base station.