A detailed software-defined receiver (SDR) architecture for navigation using cellular code division multiple access (CDMA) signals is presented. The cellular forward-link signal structure is described and models for the transmitted and received signals are developed. Particular attention is paid to relevant information that could be extracted and subsequently exploited for navigation and timing purposes. The differences between a typical GPS receiver and the proposed cellular CDMA receiver are highlighted. Moreover, a framework that is based on a mapping/navigating receiver scheme for navigation in a cellular CDMA environment is studied. The position and timing errors arising due to estimating the base transceiver station clock biases in different cell sectors are also analyzed. Experimental results utilizing the proposed SDR are presented demonstrating a mean distance difference of 5.51 m from a GPS navigation solution.