Techniques for assigning primary synchronization code (PSC) sequences and secondary synchronization code (SSC) sequences to cells in a wireless communication system are described. At least one PSC sequence and multiple SSC sequences may be used for multiple cells in a Node B. In one design, the available SSC sequences in the system may be arranged into groups, with each group including M different SSC sequences. Additional groups of M SSC sequences may be formed with different permutations (e.g., different cyclic shifts) of each group of M SSC sequences. In one design, three SSC sequences SSC(G1), SSC(G2) and SSC(G3) may be used for three cells in one Node B. A first permutation including SSC(G3), SSC(G1) and SSC(G2) may be used for three cells in another Node B. A second permutation including SSC(G2), SSC(G3) and SSC(G1) may be used for three cells in yet another Node B.