To execute the cell-search procedure in a cellular communication system (such as a system based upon the 3GPP TDD standard), there are available identification codes for the second step (slot synchronization) and for the third step (identification of the scrambling codes). The identification codes are identified by a process of correlation with the received signal and are used for obtaining from a correspondence table the parameters for the execution of the second step (CD) or of the third step (SCR). The correspondence table is stored in a reduced form by the identification, according to rules of symmetry and redundancy, of subtables designed to generate the entire table by appropriate combination operations. The search procedure in the correspondence table thus reduced is conveniently modified by the introduction of the combination operations. A preferential application is in mobile communication systems based upon standards such as UMTS, CDMA2000, IS95 or WBCDMA.