Method and apparatus for locating a synchronization signal
View Patent ↗In one aspect of the present invention, a method and apparatus are provided. The method includes detecting a synchronization signal within a plurality of channels. The method includes selecting a subset of the plurality of channels, wherein the subset includes more than one channel. The method further includes determining if the synchronization signal exists on at least one of the subset of channels and initiating communications in response to determining that the synchronization signal exists on at least one of the subset of channels.
1. An apparatus for detecting a synchronization signal within a plurality of channels, comprising:
a receiver capable of receiving signals over the plurality of channels;
a filter capable of allowing a subset of the plurality of channels to pass through the filter, wherein the subset includes more than one channel;
a demodulator capable of demodulating over a bandwidth encompassing the subset of the plurality of channels; and
a controller capable of initiating communications in response to determining that the synchronization signal exists on at least one of the subset of channels.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is capable of identifying a channel having the synchronization signal.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller identifies the channel having the synchronization signal based upon data within the synchronization signal.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the controller modifies the bandwidth of the filter to allow only the channel having the synchronization signal.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the controller is capable of initiating communications over the channel having the synchronization signal.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the subset comprises three channels.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the controller is capable of selecting a first channel and two channels adjacent the first channel, wherein one adjacent channel is a channel preceding the first channel and the other adjacent channel is a channel subsequent to the first channel.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further capable of selecting another subset of channels and determining the presence of synchronization signals within the remaining plurality of channels.
9. A communications system, comprising:
a base unit adapted to transmit a synchronization signal within at least one of a plurality of channels;
a remote unit adapted to receive and transmit signals from the base unit, the remote unit comprising:
a receiver capable of receiving signals over the plurality of channels;
a filter capable of allowing a subset of the plurality of channels to pass through the filter, wherein the subset includes more than one channel;
a demodulator capable of demodulating over a bandwidth encompassing the subset of the plurality of channels; and
a controller capable of initiating communications in response to determining that the synchronization signal exists on at least one of the subset of channels.
10. The communications system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is capable of identifying a channel having the synchronization signal.
11. The communications system of claim 10 , wherein the controller identifies the channel having the synchronization signal based upon data within the synchronization signal.
12. The communications system of claim 11 , wherein the controller modifies the bandwidth of the filter to allow only the channel having the synchronization signal.
13. An apparatus for detecting a synchronization signal within a plurality of channels, comprising:
means for selecting a subset of the plurality of channels, wherein the subset includes more than one channel;
means for substantially simultaneously determining if the synchronization signal exists on at least one of the subset of channels; and
means for initiating communications in response to determining that the synchronization signal exists on at least one of the subset of channels.