Scrambling code resolution

Abstract

A code division multiple access wireless network () comprises a plurality of base stations (-) which operate asynchronously with respect to one another. A set of scrambling codes are allocated to the base stations for scrambling signals transmitted from the base stations. A node () of the wireless network receives () a first type of measurement report from wireless terminals (), which comprises an observed time difference measurement acquired by the wireless terminal () for a signal received from one of an active set of base stations () that currently serve the wireless terminal. A timing reference is determined () for each of the base stations using a plurality of the observed time difference measurements. A second type of measurement report is received () from a wireless terminal () which comprises an observed time difference measurement acquired by the wireless terminal for a signal received from a base station () which is not currently serving the wireless terminal and a scrambling code of the received signal. An identity of the base station () in the second type of measurement report is determined by using the scrambling code of the signal received from the base station () which is not currently serving the wireless terminal and the observed time difference measurement in the second type of measurement report and the determined timing reference for that base station.