A mobile station uses a search window to search for a target pilot signal transmitted by a target transmitter in a spread spectrum communication system. The search window may be centered on the expected phase of the target pilot signal at the mobile station. To calculate the expected phase, the mobile station estimates a transmission delay associated with the target pilot signal, based on at least the target transmitter's location and the mobile station's location. The transmission delay may account for the time it takes for the target pilot signal to propagate from the target transmitter to the mobile station. The expected phase of the target pilot signal may then be calculated based on at least a nominal phase of the target pilot signal (e.g., the phase when transmitted by the target transmitter) and the estimated transmission delay.