Cellular network acquisition method and apparatus

• US 20040229610A1
• Filed: 11/18/2003
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Ltd Hong Kong (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Ormson, Richard, Yamashita, Osamu, Gabin, Frederic, Legg, Nigel, Downer, Darioush
• Granted Patent: US 7,620,395 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/434
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

The present invention provides for a cellular communications device comprising determining a most suitable cell based on a characteristic of signals received from a plurality of cells, the signals from each cell being provided over a band of frequencies, and the said determination comprising the steps of taking a series of measurements of the said characteristics for each frequency so as to obtain an average value, wherein each measurement in the said series is taken for all of the frequencies in the said band before the next measurement in the series is taken, and the said series of measurements on each frequency are equally spaced and serve to provide equal intervals therebetween for further processing of signals from network cells.

Claims

1. A method of network acquisition for a cellular communications device comprising determining a most suitable cell based on a characteristic of signals received from a plurality of cells, the signals from each cell being provided over a band of frequencies, and the said determination comprising the steps of taking a series of measurements of the said characteristics for each frequency so as to obtain an average value, wherein each measurement in the said series is taken for all of the frequencies in the said band before the next measurement in the series is taken, and the said series of measurements on each frequency are equally spaced and serve to provide equal intervals therebetween for further processing of signals from network cells or reception and processing of signals from cells of another network.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said characteristic comprises signal strength.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the said characteristic comprises a derivative of the signal strength.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said series measurements comprises a series of five measurements.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said equal intervals are each in the order of 0.5 second.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, and arranged for at least dual mode operation wherein a search of a radio access technology according to a second mode is conducted during the said equal intervals.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein one radio access technology comprises GSM and a second radio access technology comprises UMTS.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1 and for use with a single mode cellular communications device in which second stage search operations are conduct d during the said equal intervals.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the said second stage operations are conducted on cells found to have high signal strength after initial measurement.

10. A cellular communications device including means for determining a most suitable cell based upon a characteristic of signals received from a plurality of cells, the signals from each cell being provided over a band of frequencies, the said means for determining comprising means for taking a series of measurements of the said characteristics for each frequency so as to obtain an average value, wherein each measurement in the said series is taken for all the frequencies in the band before the next measurement in the series is taken, and such that the said series of measurements on each frequency are equally spaced so as to serve to provide equal intervals therebetween for the further processing of signals from the network cells.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the said characteristic comprises signal strength.

12. A device as claimed in claim 10 wherein the said characteristic comprises a derivative of the signal strength.

13. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the said series measurements comprises a series of five measurements.

14. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the said equal intervals are each in the order of 0.5 second.

15. A device as claimed in claim 10, and arranged for at least dual mode operation wherein a search of a radio access technology according to a second mode is conducted during the said equal intervals.

16. A device as claimed in claim 15 wherein one radio access technology comprises GSM and a second radio access technology comprises UMTS.

17. A device as claimed in claim 10 and for use with a single mod cellular communications device in which second stage search perations are conducted during the said equal intervals.

18. A device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the said second stage operations are conducted on cells found to have high signal strength after initial measurement.