A method and system for processing the results of searches for signals in a direct sequence spread spectrum communications system in an intelligent and efficient manner. A preferred embodiment comprises a search engine (for example, search engine 405) and a hardware result processor (for example, result processor 410) with a memory (for example, memory 415) as an interface. The search engine may perform multiple correlations of a pilot channel and then writes the correlation results exceeding a specified threshold to the memory. The result processor reads the correlation results from the memory and performs result filtering and builds a list of maximum value correlation results. The result processor and the search engine functions with independence from one another therefore, there is therefore, little wasted overhead where one has to wait for the other. The result filtering also makes it simpler to combine signal multipaths and simplifies pilot channel strength comparisons.