Patent ID: 8045597
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method of multi-path searching in a cellular network in which a multi-path searcher is provided which carries out a correlation process over a predetermined integration period in relation to individual ones of a plurality of pilot signals received in connection with respective cells of the cellular network to generate first multiple correlation measurements corresponding to a plurality of time delays in the signal, analysing said first multiple correlation measurements in relation to said plurality of time delays to identify multi-path positions in the signal, characterised in that information of said multi-path positions over a first predetermined integration period is stored as a first set of candidate multi-path positions and compared with a second set of candidate multi-path positions derived from second multiple correlation measurements corresponding to said plurality of time delays made by the multi-path searcher over a second predetermined integration period in relation to an individual one of the pilot signals, so as to confirm or reject candidate multi-path positions and define modified candidate multi-path positions, wherein the first predetermined integration period and the second predetermined integration period are substantially equal to one another, wherein said second set of candidate multi-path positions is derived from a repeat correlation process performed to derive said first set of candidate multi-path positions, and wherein first and second multiple correlation measurements are obtained for respective pilot signals in the plurality of pilot signals received in connection with the respective cells, and the first multiple correlation measurements of a second cell are obtained before the second multiple correlation measurements are obtained for a first cell such that the multiple correlation measurements for the first and second cells are interleaved with one another.