Patent ID: 7324479

Claim:
A method of searching a plurality of neighbor cells that transmit signals using unique codes in a UE (User Equipment) that exchanges data with a reference cell in an asynchronous CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) mobile communication system, the method comprising the steps of: performing an asynchronous cell search on each of signals received from the neighbor cells and designating codes corresponding to the neighbor cells as a candidate sector group, from which the UE receives valid signals by the asynchronous cell search by obtaining N 1 slot peaks higher than a first threshold among slot peaks measured using PSCH (Primary Synchronization Channel) signals from the neighbor cells, acquiring code groups and frame timings using SCCH (Secondary Synchronization Channel) signals received from the neighbor cells corresponding to the N 1 slot peaks, and selecting N 1 ×N 2 code groups and frame timings higher than a second threshold, and selecting N 3 correlations higher than a third threshold among correlations between a CPCH (Common Pilot Channel) signal received in correspondence with each of the N 1 ×N 2 code groups and frame timings and the codes of the N 1 ×N 2 code groups, and designating codes corresponding to N 1 ×N 2 ×N 3 correlations as the candidate sector group; and measuring the power levels of signals with the codes designated as the candidate sector group by a window cell search.