Direct sequence spread spectrum code search acquisition in fading channel: mean acquisition time of serial search multiple dwell detector

The serial search DS code acquisition in a nonselective time-variant channel is analyzed. The stationary random signal amplitude is supposed to be constant during each single/multiple dwell test interval and independent of that on any other test interval. The dependence of the mean acquisition time on the random amplitude is eliminated by averaging over the given amplitude distribution. As an example of the general concept, the application of the mean acquisition time of the double-dwell noncoherent detector for a Rayleigh distributed signal amplitude is evaluated.