Method and apparatus for receiving reference signals in support of flexible radio communication

A user equipment in a communication network, the user equipment comprising:

• a transceiver that sends and receives signals between the user equipment and a communication network entity including scanning one or more frequencies within a predetermined spectrum space designated for use by the communication network;
• and
• a controller that detects synchronization signals on a first frequency of the scanned one or more frequencies and determines a first identity value from the detected synchronization signals;
• wherein the transceiver further receives a first reference signal based on the determined first identity value, a broadcast channel, and a second reference signal based on the first identity value and a second identity value;
• and
• wherein the controller further decodes the broadcast channel and identifies from the decoded broadcast channel the second identity value, and determines a cell identification value based upon the first identity value determined from the detected synchronization signals, and the second identity value identified from the decoded broadcast channel.