Downlink synchronization for a cellular OFDM communication system

A base station transmitter for use with an OFDM or OFDMA communication system, comprising:

• a synchronization unit configured to provide a cellular downlink synchronization signal having primary and secondary portions, wherein said primary portion is common for all cells and said secondary portion includes cell parameters in addition to cell-ID;
• and
• a transmit unit configured to transmit said cellular downlink synchronization signal.

A base station transmitter for use with an OFDM or OFDMA communication system, comprising:

• a synchronization unit configured to provide a cellular downlink synchronization signal having primary and secondary portions wherein said primary portion employs a corresponding one of a plurality of different primary signals allocated to adjoining transmission cells and said secondary portion includes cell parameters other than cell-ID;
• and
• a transmit unit configured to transmit said cellular downlink synchronization signal.

A method of operating a user equipment receiver for use with an OFDM or OFDMA communication system, comprising:

• receiving a cellular downlink synchronization signal having primary and secondary portions not derived from a pilot channel, wherein said secondary portion includes cell parameters in addition to cell-ID;
• and
• identifying and extracting said secondary portion.

A user equipment receiver for use with an OFDM or OFDMA communication system, comprising:

• a receive unit configured to receive a cellular downlink synchronization signal having primary and secondary portions not derived from a pilot channel, wherein said secondary portion includes cell parameters in addition to cell-ID;
• and
• a processing unit configured to identify and extract said secondary portion.

A base station transmitter, comprising:

• a synchronization unit configured to provide a downlink synchronization signal having primary and secondary portions wherein said primary portion employs a corresponding one of a plurality of different primary signals and said secondary portion includes cell parameters in addition to cell-ID;
• and
• a transmit unit configured to transmit said cellular downlink synchronization signal.