A pilot searcher for CDMA and GPS signals. In one aspect, the searcher is operated in conjunction with a sample buffer in a "real-time" or "off-line" mode. The writing/reading of samples to/from the buffer may be performed in a TDM manner via a common port, and samples may be decimated and packed prior to storing in the buffer. In another aspect, the overall search for pilots is partitioned into a number of tasks, with each task corresponding to a search over a given sample segment and based on a particular set of parameter values. The tasks may be stored in a queue and performed one at a time based on their order in the queue. Prior to performing a new task, the parameter values for that task is downloaded to a set of configuration registers. The parameters may be ordered and linked such that only new values are downloaded.