Low i/o bandwidth method and system for implementing detection and identification of scrambling codes

Abstract

A system for detecting and identifying the identity of a base station or cell which transmits a scrambling code is provided. According to one aspect of the system, the system is used to perform scrambling code detection of eight (8) primary cells (each scrambling code's X-component being spaced sixteen (16) chips apart) in a group. According to another aspect of the system, a single scrambling code generator is used to generate a master scrambling code. The master scrambling code is then used to create individual scrambling codes which are used in correlation with received signals to detect in parallel which one of the eight (8) possible primary cells in the group transmitted the received signals. According to yet another aspect of the system, each of the correlators maintains a corresponding X-component segment of the master scrambling code. For every sixteen (16) chips, a new X-component segment of the master scrambling code is introduced into one of the correlators, a X-component segment of the master scrambling code is dropped from another correlator, and X-component segments of the master scrambling code are sequentially shifted or propagated through the remaining correlators; and concurrent correlations are performed by the correlators using their respective corresponding X-component segments of the master scrambling code and newly received signals.

1 . A system for identifying a scrambling code from signals received from a base station, comprising:
 a scrambling code generator configured to generate a plurality of X-component segments in a sequential manner, the plurality of codex-component segments making up a master scrambling code; and   a plurality of correlators arranged in a sequential manner, each correlator maintaining a corresponding X-component segment and configured to correlate a set of received signals with its corresponding X-component segment and generate corresponding correlation results, the plurality of correlators collectively performing their correlations in a parallel manner in one or more iterations;   wherein after each performed iteration, all but one of the plurality of correlators shift their corresponding X-component segments to their respective neighboring correlators and a new X-component segment is generated by the scrambling code generator and fed to one of the plurality of correlators.   
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the scrambling code generator is configured to generate a plurality of Y-component segments in a sequential manner,
 wherein each correlator is further configure to maintain a corresponding Y-component segment and correlate the set of received signals with its corresponding Y-component segment and generate the corresponding correlation results; and   wherein after each performed iteration, a new Y-component segment is generated by the scrambling code generator and loaded into the plurality of correlators.   
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the number of iterations performed by the plurality of correlators depends on a selected correlation length and a predetermined chip offset; and
 wherein the length of each correlator depends on the predetermined chip offset.   
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein after each performed iteration, a new set of received signals is received by each correlator. 
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the correlation results generated by the plurality of correlators are evaluated to identify the scrambling code from the received signals thereby allowing the identity of the base station which transmitted the received signals to be identified. 
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of correlators perform their correlations in a real-time manner. 
   
   
       7 . A mobile terminal incorporating the system as recited in  claim 1 . 
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the base station is located in a W-CDMA communication network. 
   
   
       9 . A system for identifying a scrambling code from signals received from a base station, the base station belonging to one of a plurality of base station groups in a communication network, the system comprising:
 a scrambling code generator configured to generate a plurality of X-component segments and a plurality of Y-component segments, the plurality of X-component segments and the plurality of Y-component segments being respectively in a sequential order, the plurality of X-component and Y-component segments making up a master scrambling code; and   a plurality of correlators arranged in a sequential manner, each correlator maintaining a corresponding X-component segment and a corresponding Y-component segment and configured to correlate a set of received signals with its corresponding X-component and Y-component segments and generate corresponding correlation results, the plurality of correlators collectively performing their correlations in a parallel manner in one or more iterations;   wherein after each performed iteration, all but one of the plurality of correlators shift their corresponding X-component segments to their respective neighboring correlators and a new X-component segment is generated by the scrambling code generator and fed to one of the plurality of correlators, and a new Y-component segment is generated by the scrambling code generator and loaded into the plurality of correlators.   
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 9  wherein the number of iterations performed by the plurality of correlators depends on a selected correlation length and a predetermined chip offset; and
 wherein the length of each correlator depends on the predetermined chip offset.   
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 9  wherein after each performed iteration, a new set of received signals is received by each correlator. 
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 9  wherein the correlation results generated by the plurality of correlators are evaluated to identify the scrambling code from the received signals thereby allowing the identity of the base station which transmitted the received signals to be identified. 
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 9  wherein the master scrambling code has a period determined by a selected correlation length and a predetermined group chip offset. 
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 13  wherein the predetermined group chip offset is determined by the number of base stations within a base station group and a predetermined chip offset. 
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 9  wherein the number of the plurality of correlators depends on the number of base stations within a base station group. 
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 9  wherein the plurality of correlators perform their correlations in a real-time manner. 
   
   
       17 . A mobile terminal incorporating the system as recited in  claim 9 . 
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 9  wherein the communication network is a W-CDMA communication network. 
   
   
       19 . A system for identifying a scrambling code from signals received from a base station, the base station belonging to one of a plurality of base station groups in a communication network, the system comprising:
 a scrambling code generator configured to generate a plurality of X-component segments in a sequential manner, the plurality of X-component segments making up a master scrambling code; and   a plurality of correlators coupled in a sequential manner and having a first correlator, a last correlator and a plurality of intermediate correlators coupled between the first correlator and the last correlator, the plurality of correlators configured to perform correlations in a parallel manner in one or more iterations;   wherein:   the plurality of correlators are each populated with corresponding X-component segments generated by the scrambling code generator;   each of the plurality of correlators receives a set of received data samples;   the plurality of correlators correlate the set of received data samples with their corresponding X-component segments in parallel in one iteration;   after each iteration is completed, the plurality of intermediate correlators and the last correlator shift their corresponding X-component segments to their respective neighboring correlator, the corresponding X-component segment of the first correlator is discarded, and a new X-component segment is generated by the scrambling code generator and fed to the last correlator.   
   
   
       20 . The system according to  claim 19  wherein the scrambling code generator is further configured to generate a plurality of Y-component segments in a sequential manner;
 wherein the plurality of correlators are each populated with corresponding Y-component segments;   wherein the plurality of correlators correlate the set of received data samples with their corresponding Y-component segments in parallel in one iteration; and   wherein after each iteration is completed, a new Y-component segment is generated by the scrambling code generator and loaded into the plurality of correlators in parallel.   
   
   
       21 . The system according to  claim 20  wherein the new Y-component segment follows the Y-component segment that was previously in the plurality of correlators. 
   
   
       22 . The system according to  claim 19  wherein after the one iteration is completed, a new set of received data samples is received by the plurality of correlators. 
   
   
       23 . The system according to  claim 19  wherein the master scrambling code has a period determined by a selected correlation length and a predetermined group chip offset. 
   
   
       24 . The system according to  claim 23  wherein the predetermined group chip offset is determined by the number of base stations within a base station group and a predetermined chip offset. 
   
   
       25 . The system according to  claim 19  wherein the number of the plurality of correlators depends on the number of base stations within a base station group. 
   
   
       26 . The system according to  claim 19  wherein the plurality of correlators perform their correlations in a real-time manner. 
   
   
       27 . The system according to  claim 19  wherein the new X-component segment follows the corresponding X-component segment which was in the last correlator before that corresponding X-component segment was shifted. 
   
   
       28 . A mobile terminal incorporating the system as recited in  claim 19 . 
   
   
       29 . The system according to  claim 19  wherein the communication network is a W-CDMA communication network and the system is used in connection with acquisition of a downlink of a 3GPP W-CDMA cell during stage 3 of a cell search procedure. 
   
   
       30 . A method for identifying a scrambling code from signals received from a base station, comprising:
 selecting a correlation length;   identifying a master scrambling code using the selected correlation length, the master scrambling code comprising a plurality of X-component segments arranged in a sequential manner;   populating each of a plurality of correlators with a corresponding X-component segment in a sequential manner,   providing a set of received data samples to each of the plurality of correlators;   causing each of the plurality of correlators to correlate the set of received data samples with its corresponding X-component segment and store corresponding correlation results;   shifting the corresponding X-component segments of all but one of the plurality of correlators to their respective neighboring correlators;   populating one of the plurality of correlators with a new X-component segment, the new X-component segment sequentially following the corresponding X-component segments which are in the plurality of correlators; and   repeating the providing step, the causing step, the shifting step and the populating step with the new X-component segment with successive sets of received data samples until the selected correlation length is achieved.   
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the master scrambling code further includes a plurality of Y-component segments; and further comprising:
 populating each of the plurality of correlators with a Y-component segment;   causing each of the plurality of correlators to correlate the set of received data samples with its corresponding Y-component segment and store the corresponding correlation results;   after each correlation, generating a new Y-component segment, the new Y-component segment sequentially following the previous Y-component segment that was in the plurality of correlators, and populating each of the plurality of correlators with the new Y-component segment.   
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30  further comprising:
 evaluating the stored correlation results generated by the plurality of correlators to identify the scrambling code from the signals received from the base station thereby allowing the identity of the base station to be identified.   
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the causing step further comprises:
 causing each of the plurality of correlators to correlate in a concurrent and real-time manner.   
   
   
       34 . A mobile terminal utilizing the method as recited in  claim 30 . 
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 30  wherein the base station is located in a W-CDMA communication network and the method is used in connection with acquisition of a downlink of a 3GPP W-CDMA cell during stage 3 of a cell search procedure. 
   
   
       36 . A method for identifying a scrambling code from signals received from a base station, the base station belonging to one of a plurality of base station groups in a communication network, the method comprising:
 identifying a master scrambling code, the master scrambling code comprising a plurality of X-component segments arranged in a sequential manner;   performing a series of successive correlation iterations using a number of X-component segments taken from the plurality of X-component segments and corresponding sets of received data samples; and   for each correlation iteration:
 providing a new set of received data samples; 
 correlating the new set of received data samples with the number of X-component segments and storing correlation results; and 
 refreshing the number of X-component segments in a first-in-first-out basis by discarding one X-component segment and adding another X-component segment. 
   
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 36  wherein the master scrambling code further comprises a plurality of Y-component segments, and further comprising:
 performing a series of successive correlation iterations using a number of Y-component segments taken from the plurality of Y-component segments and corresponding sets of received data samples; and   for each correlation iteration:
 correlating the new set of received data samples with a Y-component segment and storing the correlation results; and 
 after each correlation iteration is completed, replacing the current Y-component segment with a new Y-component segment. 
   
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 36  further comprising:
 evaluating the collectively stored correlation results to identify the scrambling code from the signals received from the base station thereby allowing the identity of the base station to be identified.   
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 36  wherein for each correlation iteration, the correlating step further comprises:
 correlating the new set of received data samples with each of the number of X-component segments in a concurrent manner.   
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 36  further comprising:
 selecting a correlation length; and   wherein the period of the master scrambling code depends on the correlation length and a predetermined group chip offset.   
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the predetermined group chip offset depends on the number of base stations within a base station group and a predetermined chip offset between two adjacent base stations within the base station group. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the number of successive correlation iterations depends on the selected correlation length and the number of X-component segments being correlated during each correlation iteration. 
   
   
       43 . A mobile terminal utilizing the method as recited in  claim 36 . 
   
   
       44 . The method according to  claim 36  wherein the communication network is a W-CDMA communication network and the method is used in connection with acquisition of a downlink of a 3GPP W-CDMA cell during stage 3 of a cell search procedure. 
   
   
       45 . A method for identifying a scrambling code from signals received from a base station, the base station belonging to one of a plurality of base station groups in a communication network, the method comprising:
 identifying a master scrambling code, the master scrambling code comprising a plurality of X-component segments arranged in a sequential manner;   configuring a scrambling code generator to generate the plurality of X-component segments one X-component segment at a time;   configuring a plurality of correlators in a sequential manner to perform correlations, the plurality of correlators having a first correlator, a last correlator and a plurality of intermediate correlators coupled between the first correlator and the last correlator;   populating each of the plurality of correlators with a corresponding X-component segment generated from the scrambling code generator;   causing the plurality of correlators to perform a series of successive correlation iterations using their corresponding X-component segments and corresponding sets of received data samples; and   for each correlation iteration:
 providing a new set of received data samples; 
 causing the plurality of correlators to respectively correlate the new set of received data samples with their corresponding X-component segments and store respective correlation results; 
 shifting the corresponding X-component segments of the plurality of intermediate correlators and the last correlator to their respective neighboring correlators; 
 transferring a new X-component segment generated by the scrambling code generator to the last correlator, the new X-component segment being in sequence with the corresponding X-component segment which was previously present in the last correlator. 
   
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the master scrambling code further includes a plurality of Y-component segments in a sequential manner, and further comprising:
 configuring the scrambling code generator to generate the plurality of Y-component segments one Y-component segment at a time; and   causing the plurality of correlators to perform a series of correlation iterations using their corresponding sets of received data samples and the plurality of Y-component segments;   for each correlation iteration:
 causing the plurality of correlators to respectively correlate the new set of received data samples with one Y-component segment and store the respective correlation results; and 
 directing the plurality of correlators to receive a new Y-component segment from the scrambling code generator, the new Y-component segment being in sequence with the Y-component segment that was used in the previous correlation iteration. 
   
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 45  further comprising:
 for each correlation iteration, discarding the corresponding X-component segment of the first correlator.   
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the causing step further comprises:
 causing the plurality of correlators to correlate in a concurrent manner.   
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 45  further comprising:
 selecting a correlation length; and   wherein the period of the master scrambling code depends on the correlation length and a predetermined group chip offset.   
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the predetermined group chip offset depends on the number of base stations within a base station group and a predetermined chip offset between two adjacent base stations within the base station group. 
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the number of successive correlation iterations depends on the selected correlation length and the length of each X-component segment. 
   
   
       52 . A mobile terminal utilizing the method as recited in  claim 45 . 
   
   
       53 . The method according to  claim 45  wherein the communication network is a W-CDMA communication network and the method is used in connection with acquisition of a downlink of a 3GPP W-CDMA cell during stage 3 of a cell search procedure.