A method for providing an initial estimate for an interval of possible
values for a parameter used in an acquisition of a signal maintains
parameter values obtained from previous signal acquisitions and the times
at which the signal acquisitions were made. The maintained values of the
parameter are used to derive a candidate value for the parameter to be
used in a new signal acquisition. To make the maintained values available
even after a brief period during which the GPS receiver is powered down,
the maintained values can be stored in a non-volatile memory. The signal
acquisitions may correspond to GPS satellite signal acquisitions, and the
maintained parameter values can be grouped according to whether a
successful receiver location determination was accomplished.
