Method and apparatus for acquiring code group in asynchronous wideband code division multiple access system using receiver diversity

1. A method of acquiring a code group in an asynchronous wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, comprising:

a first step in which a primary synchronization channel search unit achieves primary synchronization channel slot timing synchronization;

a second step in which, if the primary synchronization channel slot timing synchronization is achieved, a 1-1 search unit receives a secondary synchronization channel from a first antenna, starts correlation operations between some of slots of the received secondary synchronization channel and code group candidates, and transmits information about code group candidates having correlation operation values exceeding a first threshold value to a second search unit;

a third step in which, if the primary synchronization channel slot timing synchronization is achieved, a 1-2 search unit receives the secondary synchronization channel from a second antenna, starts correlation operations between some of slots of the received secondary synchronization channel and code group candidates, and transmits information about code group candidates having correlation operation values exceeding a second threshold value to the second search unit; and

a fourth step in which the second search unit calculates correlation characteristics based on the information about the code group candidates received from the 1-1 search unit and the 1-2 search unit, and selects a code group candidate having a highest correlation characteristic, wherein the second and third steps are performed to start correlation operations between some of the slots and the code group candidates while applying a receiver diversity function to the slots.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein, at the second and third steps, the 1-1 search unit and 1-2 search unit also transmit secondary synchronization channel signals, which have been received from the first and second antennas, respectively, to the second search unit when transmitting the information about the code group candidates.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein, at the fourth step, the second search unit uses a secondary synchronization channel signal having a higher correlation operation value if information about an identical code group candidate is received from both the 1-1 search unit and 1-2 search unit.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting the information about the code group candidates received from the 1-1 search unit and 1-2 search unit to a determination unit.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein, at the fourth step, the determination unit transmits information about code group candidates to the second search unit if the information about the code group candidates is received from either the 1-1 search unit or the 1-2 search unit.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein, at the fourth step, the determination unit transmits a secondary synchronization channel signal of the 1-1 search unit or the 1-2 search unit to the second search unit when transmitting the information about the code group candidates to the second search unit.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein, at the fourth step, the determination unit transmits a secondary synchronization channel signal having a higher correlation operation value to the second search unit if information about an identical code group candidate is received from both the 1-1 search unit and the 1-2 search unit.

8. An apparatus for acquiring a code group in an asynchronous wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, comprising:

a primary synchronization channel search unit for informing a mobile station of a slot start point;

a 1-1 search unit for, if primary synchronization channel slot timing synchronization is achieved, starting correlation operations between some of slots of the secondary synchronization channel received through a first antenna and code group candidates, and transmitting information about code group candidates having values exceeding a first threshold value to a determination unit;

a 1-2 search unit for, if primary synchronization channel slot timing synchronization is achieved, starting correlation operations between some of slots of the secondary synchronization channel received through a second antenna and code group candidates, and transmitting information about code group candidates having values exceeding a second threshold value to the determination unit, the determination unit to transmit the information about the code group candidates received from the 1-1 search unit and 1-2 search unit to a second search unit; and

the second search unit for calculating correlation characteristics based on the information about the code group candidates received from the determination unit, and selecting a code group candidate having a highest correlation characteristic,

wherein the 1-1 search unit and 1-2 search unit start correlation operations between some of the slots and the code group candidates while applying receiver diversity function to the slots.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the determination unit transmits information about code group candidates to the second search unit if the information about the code group candidates is received from either the 1-1 search unit or the 1-2 search unit.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , where the determination unit transmits a secondary synchronization channel signal of the 1-1 search unit or the 1-2 search unit to the second search unit when transmitting the information about the code group candidates to the second search unit.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the determination unit transmits a secondary synchronization channel signal having a higher correlation operation value to the second search unit if information about an identical code group candidate is received from both the 1-1 search unit and 1-2 search unit.