Abstract: A method of managing fingers for multipath signals in a wireless communication device. In one embodiment, the present invention recites receiving multipath signals at a wireless communication device. The present embodiment then acquires one of the multipath signals in a searcher portion of the wireless communication device and determines a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) level of the one multipath signal. Next, the present embodiment evaluates the multipath signal for categorization into one of a plurality of states and then generates a finger assignment by selectively providing the multipath signal for a demodulation operation based upon its state. The present embodiment then receives the finger assignment from the searcher portion of the communication device and determines a signal-strength for the finger assignment. The present embodiment then enables the finger assignment for a combine operation if the signal-strength for the finger assignment satiates a first signal-strength threshold.

Abstract: A method for managing multipath signals to be demodulated by a receiver with multiple demodulators. The method includes a series of steps, including receiving the multipath signals at a wireless communication receiver device, finding the multipath signals having sufficient signal strength for demodulation, and measuring an arrival time of one of the multipath signals. In one embodiment, the present invention also recites measuring a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) level of one of the multipath signals, updating a multipath list with the arrival time and the signal-to-noise ratio if the multipath signal is identified based upon the arrival time with one of the multipath signals existing in the multipath list, and identifying newly-found multipath signals and evaluating one of the newly-found multipath signals based on the signal-to-noise ratio for categorization into one of a plurality of states.