A method for accurate signal detection begins by receiving a radio frequency signal, which is then converted into baseband signals. The processing then continues by performing a normalized auto correlation on the down-converted baseband signal to produce a normalized auto correlation signal. The process continues by performing a periodic pattern detection on the down-converted baseband signal to produce a normalized detected periodic signal. The process then continues by comparing the normalized auto correlation value with an auto correlation threshold and by comparing the normalized detected periodic signal with a set of thresholds. When the normalized auto correlation value compares favorably with the auto correlation threshold and when the normalized detected periodic signal compares favorably with the set of thresholds, the down-converted baseband signal is indicated to be a valid signal.