New Code Synchronization Algorithm for the Secondary Cell-search Stage in WCDMA

This paper proposes a new code synchronization algorithm for the secondary cell-search stage in wideband CDMA systems. Rather than using the cyclically permutable (CP) code in the secondary synchronization channel (S-SCH) to simultaneously acquire frame boundary and scrambling code group, the new synchronization algorithm implements the same function with less system complexity. New secondary synchronization codes (SSC) are redesigned by splitting them into two sub-sequences. The counter logic unit and BCH decoder make the new algorithm avoid involved and time-costly Reed-Solomon (RS) code comparisons. Analysis and simulation results show that the synchronization error rate (SER) yielded by the new algorithm in Rayleigh fading channels is close to that of the conventional algorithm in the standard. This new synchronization algorithm reduces system complexities, shortens the mean acquisition time and can be implemented in the slot-based cell-search pipeline.