Patent ID: 6901106

Claim:
A code tracking system for a communication system comprising a multiple timing references delay-locked loop employing N timing references, N being ≧2, said multiple timing references loop comprising: a pseudo-noise (PN) code generator that generates a local PN code; a code tracking means for tracking an input reception signal and said local PN code output from said PN code generator in accordance with said N timing references and outputting a tracking error signal; a loop filter that changes said tracking error signal to a stabilized signal; and a voltage controlling oscillator that receives said stabilized signal output by said loop filter and controls a code generation timing of said PN code generator so that a code of the reception signal and said local PN code output by the PN code generator coincide, wherein said code tracking means comprises: N timing reference tracking units that track each of said N timing references T i and output a decision signal D i for each timing reference T i , where 1≦i≦N; and a code tracking decision unit that receives said decision signals D i , finds a minimal tracking error from said decision signals D i and outputs a selected decision signal D i associated with one of said timing references associated with said minimal tracking error, said selected decision signal D i comprising said tracking error signal.