TUNE-AWAY AND CROSS PAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS

• US 20080020769A1
• Filed: 08/07/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Parekh, Nileshkumar, Ulupinar, Fatih, Prakash, Rajat
• Granted Patent: US 8,155,652 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/436
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0085 Hand-off measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/00 Synchronisation arrangements

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for processing wireless signal components for a mobile wireless access broadband service. This can include processes for measuring signal strength of an alternative frequency by tuning away from an existing frequency associated with an existing communications path. Such processes allow determining if the alternative frequency supports a subsequent communications path in a mobile broadband wireless application. Upon the determination, the process can automatically select the subsequent communications path based in part on the measured signal strength.

Claims

1. A method to process wireless signal components for a mobile wireless access broadband service, comprising:

generating a schedule that describes frame structure timing of a first communications channel;

determining timing differences with at least a second communications channel in accordance with the schedule; and

generating a correction time factor between the first communications channel and the second communications channel to facilitate handing off communications between the channels.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing at least one tune-away mechanism to support one or more technology types.

3. The method of claim 2, the tune-away mechanism supporting inter-frequency handoff within the same technology type.

4. The method of claim 2, the tune-away mechanism supporting an inter-radio access technology handoff.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising adapting the tune-away mechanism to allow one or more access terminals and one or more access networks to determine alternative communications paths by temporarily tuning away from an existing path and sampling a subsequent path for employment in on-going communications.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring a signal strength based in part on a signal threshold.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising extending an Active Set of parameters that include members from one or more frequencies, where the Active Set includes Sectors from the one or more frequencies.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising processing the Sectors from different frequencies that are synchronous or asynchronous with respect to each sector.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising installing a handoff policy for an Inter-RAT (Radio Access Technology) Handoff in an access terminal.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising triggering a measurement of other communication technology from the access terminal.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising triggering a handoff decision from the access terminal.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising passing a Neighbor List of frequencies between at least one access terminal and at least one access network.

13. A wireless communications system, comprising:

means for measuring a signal strength;

means for tuning to an alternative communication channel to measure the signal strength;

means for determining timing difference between the alternative communication channel and an existing communications channel; and

means for selecting the alternative communications channel base in part on the measured signal strength and the determined timing difference.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising means for adjusting timing differences between the alternative communication channel and the existing communication channel.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising means for testing at least one threshold for measuring the signal strength.

16. The system of claim 13, further comprising means for determining at least one page during a communications session.

17. The system of claim 13, further comprising means for initiating an inter-frequency handoff or an inter-RAT (Radio Access Technology) handoff.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for passing parameters between at least one access terminal and at least one access network.

19. The system of claim 13, further comprising means for establishing an Internet Protocol (IP) data connection.