Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate identifying sectors using sector parameters signatures. The signatures can be generated as a known function of a previous sector parameters signature (or message parameters), system time, and an identifier. In this regard, mobile devices can determine an expected identifier from comparing the sector parameters signature to a sector parameters signature computed based at least in part on the system time known to the mobile device. In addition, the mobile device can utilize a known or an inferred previous parameters signature to determine the expected identifier. Multiple signatures can be evaluated to determine expected identifiers to increase the likelihood of correct identification since the signatures are generated using the known variables along with the identifier.