A method and apparatus is presented for performing an n-dimensional gradient search. A state machine is implemented to manage the initial location of the search, increment a counter used to count a search, generate locations (i.e., settings) of the search and the errors associated with the search. The state machine manages an n-dimensional counter. In one embodiment, a tertiary counter is implemented. The tertiary counter performs a three-state count and then rolls over to the beginning count at the end of the three states. The three-state count corresponds to a location of a search, a location of the search minus one, and a location of the search plus one.