In one aspect of the teachings herein, a transmitter transmits synchronization signals according to one or more defined transmission characteristics that enable a receiver to distinguish the type of transmitter and/or the type of carrier used to convey the synchronization signals. Different types of transmitters reuse at least some of the same synchronization signal sequences and generation algorithms, but use different transmission parameters to impart one or more recognizable characteristics to the transmitted synchronization signals. In turn, an appropriately configured receiver “knows” which characteristics are associated with which transmitter and/or carrier types. For example, wireless devices operating in a wireless communication network transmit device-generated synchronization signals that reuse at least some of the same sequences used by network base stations for the transmission of network synchronization signals. However, device-generated synchronization signals are transmitted using a relative positioning or mapping that characteristically differs from that used for network synchronization signals.