A mobile device receives a signal, from a base station, comprising a primary synchronization sequence (PSS) and a secondary synchronization sequence (SSS). The mobile device utilizes two different sampling rates to perform the PSS synchronization and the SSS detection individually. For example, the mobile device synchronizes to the received PSS at a first sampling rate such as 0.96 MHz, which is determined based on the PSS transmission rate and/or the length of the received PSS. The mobile device detects the received SSS at a second sampling rate such as 1.92 MHz, which equals to the sampling rate for an analog-to-digital conversion at the mobile device. The received PSS and associated symbol timing are detected through the PSS synchronization to support the SSS detection. The detected SSS is used to acquire cell-specific parameters such as cell ID. The acquired cell-specific parameters ensure proper communications between the mobile device and the base station.