An apparatus for processing spread spectrum signals is disclosed. The apparatus includes an intermediate frequency (IF) signal preprocessing unit, which includes a first set of multiply-accumulator (MAC) units and a second set of MAC units. The IF signal preprocessing unit generates a first and a second set of data streams using a digitized signal and a first and second local reference signals respectively. Each data stream is generated every predetermined time period, and each data stream includes pre-integration results generated at a predetermined rate.