Method and apparatus for transmitting information regarding the synchronization status of a base station

A method for transmitting information regarding a synchronization status of a base station in a Code Division, Multiple Access (CDMA) communication system, the method comprising the steps of:

• determining if the base station is operating in a synchronized mode or an unsynchronized mode to produce a synchronization determination;
• determining a spreading code based on the synchronization determination;
• spreading modulated data with the spreading code;
• and
• transmitting a first group identification code (GIC) to a remote unit if the base station is operating in the synchronized mode, otherwise transmitting a second GIC to the remote unit if the base station is operating in the unsynchronized mode, wherein the GIC indicates a spreading code group to which the spreading code utilized by the base station belongs.

An apparatus for transmitting information regarding a synchronization status of a base station in a Code Division, Multiple Access (CDMA) communication system, the apparatus comprising:

• a controller for determining if the base station is operating in a synchronized mode or an unsynchronized mode and outputting a synchronization determination;
• and
• spreading circuitry, coupled to the controller, for spreading modulated data with a spreading code, the spreading code determined based on the synchronization determination;
• and
• switching circuitry for switching between a first group identification code (GIC) and a second GIC based on whether the base station is operating in the synchronized or the unsynchronized mode, wherein the GIC indicates the spreading code group to which the spreading code utilized by the base station belongs.