1XRTT AND HRPD NEIGHBOR LIST SUPPORT OVER LTE

• US 20100111043A1
• Filed: 10/20/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Ramachandran, Shyamal, Swaminathan, Arvind, Klingenbrunn, Thomas, Balasubramanian, Srinivasan
• Granted Patent: US 9,119,119 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/332
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0061 of neighbour cell information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/02 Hybrid access

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for supporting single carrier Radio Transmission Technology (1×RTT) and High Rate Packet Data (HRPD) neighbor lists over LTE, thereby enabling efficient scans for 3GPP2 neighbors with minimal interruption to the LTE operations both when idle or when in-traffic. In one embodiment, the method may involve accessing a neighbor list, each neighboring system in the list being prioritized based at least in part on whether the access terminal (AT) supports a hybrid mode. For example, the method may involve selecting the 3GPP2 system to handin to based at least in part on the neighbor list.

Claims

1. A method by which an access terminal (AT) handles an idle transition from a first wireless communication system to a second wireless communication system, comprising:

accessing a neighbor list, each neighboring system in the list being prioritized based at least in part on whether the AT supports a hybrid mode; and

selecting the second system to handin to based at least in part on the neighbor list.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the list comprises at least one of an Evolved High Rate Data Packet (eHRPD) neighbor, a Single Carrier Radio Transmission Technology (1×

RTT) neighbor, and a High Rate Data Packet (HRPD) neighbor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the second system comprises:

detecting at least one eHRPD neighbor;

in response to the AT not supporting the hybrid mode, comparing relative thresholds of the first system and the at least one eHRPD neighbor against respective first system and eHRPD signal qualities; and

transitioning to the at least one eHRPD neighbor when the first system signal quality is lower than a first threshold of the first system and/or the eHRPD signal quality is greater than an eHRPD threshold.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first system comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system and the second system comprises a 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) system.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

determining an absence of any detectable eHRPD neighbors; and

in response to the AT not supporting the hybrid mode, remaining on the first system.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising transitioning to one of an available 1×

RTT neighbor and an available HRPD neighbor when LTE coverage is no longer available.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising transitioning to the 1×

RTT neighbor when the LTE signal quality is lower than an LTE threshold and/or the 1×

RTT signal quality is greater than an 1×

RTT threshold.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising transitioning to the HRPD neighbor when the LTE signal quality is lower than an LTE threshold and/or the HRPD signal quality is greater than an HRPD threshold.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting at least one 1×

RTT neighbor;

in response to the AT supporting the hybrid mode, comparing relative thresholds of the first system and the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor against respective first system and 1×

RTT signal qualities; and

transitioning to the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor when the first system signal quality is lower than a first threshold and/or the 1×

RTT signal quality is greater than an 1×

RTT threshold.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

detecting any eHRPD neighbors that are associated with the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor;

selecting one of the associated eHRPD neighbors based at least in part on the relative thresholds of the associated eHRPD neighbors; and

connecting with the selected associated eHRPD neighbor.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

determining an absence of any detectable 1×

RTT neighbors; and

in response to the AT supporting the hybrid mode, scanning for at least one of an available eHRPD system and an available HRPD system to handin to.

12. A method by which an access terminal (AT) handles an in-traffic transition from a first wireless communication system to a second wireless communication system, comprising:

accessing a neighbor list that prioritizes (a) any eHRPD neighbors over any 1×

RTT neighbors and (b) the any 1×

RTT neighbors over any HRPD neighbors; and

selecting the second system to handin to based at least in part on the neighbor list.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein selecting the second system comprises scanning for at least one of the eHRPD neighbors.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

detecting the at least one eHRPD neighbor;

comparing relative thresholds of the first system and the at least one eHRPD neighbor against respective first system and eHRPD signal qualities; and

transitioning to the at least one eHRPD neighbor when the first system signal quality is lower than a first threshold of the first system and/or the eHRPD signal quality of the at least one eHRPD neighbor is greater than an eHRPD threshold.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining an absence of any detectable eHRPD neighbors; and

scanning for at least one of the 1×

RTT neighbors.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

detecting the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor;

comparing relative thresholds of the first system and the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor against respective first system and 1×

RTT signal qualities; and

transitioning to the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor when the first system signal quality is lower than the first threshold and/or the 1×

RTT signal quality is greater than an 1×

RTT threshold.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

determining an absence of any detectable 1×

RTT neighbors; and

scanning for at least one of the HRPD neighbors.

18. A communication device for handling an idle transition from a first wireless communication system to a second wireless communication system, comprising:

a transceiver module;

at least one processor operatively coupled with the transceiver module; and

a memory module operatively coupled with the at least one processor and comprising executable code for the at least one processor to;

access a neighbor list, each neighboring system in the list being prioritized based at least in part on whether the AT supports a hybrid mode; and

select the second system to handin to based at least in part on the neighbor list.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor:

detects at least one eHRPD neighbor;

in response to the AT not supporting the hybrid mode, compares relative thresholds of the first system and the at least one eHRPD neighbor against respective first system and eHRPD signal qualities; and

instructs the AT to transition to the at least one eHRPD neighbor when the first system signal quality is lower than an first threshold of the first system and/or the eHRPD signal quality is greater than an eHRPD threshold.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the first system comprises an LTE system and the second system comprises a 3GPP2 system.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the at least one processor:

determines an absence of any detectable eHRPD neighbors; and

in response to the AT not supporting the hybrid mode, instructs the AT to remain on the LTE system.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the at least one processor instructs the AT to transition to one of an available 1×

RTT neighbor and an available HRPD neighbor when LTE coverage is no longer available.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the at least one processor instructs the AT to transition to the 1×

RTT neighbor when the LTE signal quality is lower than an LTE threshold and/or the 1×

RTT signal quality is greater than an 1×

RTT threshold.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the at least one processor instructs the AT to transition to the HRPD neighbor when the LTE signal quality is lower than an LTE threshold and/or the HRPD signal quality is greater than an HRPD threshold.

25. The device of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor:

detects at least one 1×

RTT neighbor;

in response to the AT supporting the hybrid mode, compares relative thresholds of the first system and the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor against respective first system and 1×

RTT signal qualities; and

instructs the AT to transition to the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor when the first system signal quality is lower than a first threshold of the first system and/or the 1×

RTT signal quality is greater than an 1×

RTT threshold.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the at least one processor:

detects any eHRPD neighbors that are associated with the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor;

selects one of the associated eHRPD neighbors based at least in part on the relative thresholds of the associated eHRPD neighbors; and

instructs the AT to connect with the selected associated eHRPD neighbor.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the at least one processor:

determines an absence of any detectable 1×

RTT neighbors; and

in response to the AT supporting the hybrid mode, scans for at least one of an available eHRPD system and an available HRPD system to handin to.

28. A communication device for handling an in-traffic transition from a first wireless communication system to a second wireless communication system, comprising:

a transceiver module;

at least one processor operatively coupled with the transceiver module; and

a memory module operatively coupled with the at least one processor and comprising executable code for the at least one processor to;

access a neighbor list that prioritizes (a) any eHRPD neighbors over any 1×

RTT neighbors and (b) the any 1×

RTT neighbors over any HRPD neighbors; and

select the second system to handin to based at least in part on the neighbor list.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the at least one processor scans for at least one of the eHRPD neighbors.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the at least one processor:

detects the at least one eHRPD neighbor;

compares relative thresholds of the first system and the at least one eHRPD neighbor against respective first system and eHRPD signal qualities; and

instructs the AT to transition to the at least one eHRPD neighbor when the first system signal quality is lower than an first threshold of the first system and/or the eHRPD signal quality of the at least one eHRPD neighbor is greater than an eHRPD threshold.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the at least one processor:

determines an absence of any detectable eHRPD neighbors; and

scans for at least one of the 1×

RTT neighbors.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein the at least one processor:

detects the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor;

compares relative thresholds of the first system and the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor against respective first system and 1×

RTT signal qualities; and

instructs the AT to transition to the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor when the first system signal quality is lower than the first threshold and/or the 1×

RTT signal quality is greater than an 1×

RTT threshold.

33. The device of claim 31, wherein the at least one processor:

determines an absence of any detectable 1×

RTT neighbors; and

scans for at least one of the HRPD neighbors.

34. An apparatus for handling an idle transition from a first wireless communication system to a second wireless communication system, comprising:

a first component for accessing a neighbor list, each neighboring system in the list being prioritized based at least in part on whether an AT supports a hybrid mode; and

a second component for selecting the second system to handin to based at least in part on the neighbor list.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the second component is configured to:

detect at least one eHRPD neighbor;

in response to the AT not supporting the hybrid mode, compare relative thresholds of the first system and the at least one eHRPD neighbor against respective first system and eHRPD signal qualities; and

instruct the AT to transition to the at least one eHRPD neighbor when the first system signal quality is lower than a first threshold of the first system and/or the eHRPD signal quality is greater than an eHRPD threshold.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the first system comprises an LTE system and the second system comprises a 3GPP2 system.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising a third component configured to:

determine an absence of any detectable eHRPD neighbors; and

in response to the AT not supporting the hybrid mode, instruct the AT to remain on the LTE system.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising a fourth component for instructing the AT to transition to one of an available 1×

RTT neighbor and an available HRPD neighbor when LTE coverage is no longer available.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising an fifth component for instructing the AT to transition to the 1×

RTT neighbor when the LTE signal quality is lower than an LTE threshold and/or the 1×

RTT signal quality is greater than an 1×

RTT threshold.

40. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising a sixth component for instructing the AT to transition to the HRPD neighbor when the LTE signal quality is lower than an LTE threshold and/or the HRPD signal quality is greater than an HRPD threshold.

41. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising a seventh component configured to:

detect at least one 1×

RTT neighbor;

in response to the AT supporting the hybrid mode, compare relative thresholds of the first system and the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor against respective first system and 1×

RTT signal qualities; and

instruct the AT to transition to the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor when the first system signal quality is lower than a first threshold and/or the 1×

RTT signal quality is greater than an 1×

RTT threshold.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the first system comprises an LTE system and the second system comprises a 3GPP2 system.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising a third component configured to:

detect any eHRPD neighbors that are associated with the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor;

select one of the associated eHRPD neighbors based at least in part on the relative thresholds of the associated eHRPD neighbors; and

instruct the AT to connect with the selected associated eHRPD neighbor.

44. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising a third component configured to:

determine an absence of any detectable 1×

RTT neighbors; and

in response to the AT supporting the hybrid mode, scan for at least one of an available eHRPD system and an available HRPD system to handin to.

45. An apparatus for handling an idle transition from a first wireless communication system to a second wireless communication system, comprising:

a first component for accessing a neighbor list that prioritizes (a) any eHRPD neighbors over any 1×

RTT neighbors and (b) the any 1×

RTT neighbors over any HRPD neighbors; and

a second component for selecting the second system to handin to based at least in part on the neighbor list.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the second component is configured to scan for at least one of the eHRPD neighbors.

54. The apparatus of claim 45, further comprising:

means for detecting at least one 1×

RTT neighbor;

in response to the AT supporting the hybrid mode, means for comparing relative thresholds of the first system and the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor against respective first system and 1×

RTT signal qualities; and

means for instructing the AT to transition to the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor when the first system signal quality is lower than a first threshold and/or the 1×

RTT signal quality is greater than an 1×

RTT threshold.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the first system comprises an LTE system and the second system comprises a 3GPP2 system.

56. The apparatus of claim 55, further comprising:

means for detecting any eHRPD neighbors that are associated with the at least one 1×

RTT neighbor;

means for selecting one of the associated eHRPD neighbors based at least in part on the relative thresholds of the associated eHRPD neighbors; and

means for instructing the AT to connect with the selected associated eHRPD neighbor.

57. The apparatus of claim 55, further comprising:

means for determining an absence of any detectable 1×

RTT neighbors; and

in response to the AT supporting the hybrid mode, means for scanning for at least one of an available eHRPD system and an available HRPD system to handin to.

47. An apparatus for handling an idle transition from a first wireless communication system to a second wireless communication system, comprising:

means for accessing a neighbor list, each neighboring system in the list being prioritized based at least in part on whether an AT supports a hybrid mode; and

means for selecting the second system to handin to based at least in part on the neighbor list.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising:

means for detecting at least one eHRPD neighbor;

in response to the AT not supporting the hybrid mode, means for comparing relative thresholds of the first system and the at least one eHRPD neighbor against respective first system and eHRPD signal qualities; and

means for instructing the AT to transition to the at least one eHRPD neighbor when the first system signal quality is lower than a first threshold of the first system and/or the eHRPD signal quality is greater than an eHRPD threshold.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the first system comprises an LTE system and the second system comprises a 3GPP2 system.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, further comprising:

means for determining an absence of any detectable eHRPD neighbors; and

in response to the AT not supporting the hybrid mode, means for instructing the AT to remain on the LTE system.

51. The apparatus of claim 50, further comprising means for instructing the AT to transition to one of an available 1×

RTT neighbor and an available HRPD neighbor when LTE coverage is no longer available.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, further comprising means for instructing the AT to transition to the 1×

RTT neighbor when the LTE signal quality is lower than an LTE threshold and/or the 1×

RTT signal quality is greater than an 1×

RTT threshold.

53. The apparatus of claim 51, further comprising means for instructing the AT to transition to the HRPD neighbor when the LTE signal quality is lower than an LTE threshold and/or the HRPD signal quality is greater than an HRPD threshold.

58. An apparatus for handling an idle transition from a first wireless communication system to a second wireless communication system, comprising:

means for accessing a neighbor list that prioritizes (a) any eHRPD neighbors over any 1×

RTT neighbors and (b) the any 1×

RTT neighbors over any HRPD neighbors; and

means for selecting the second system to handin to based at least in part on the neighbor list.

59. The method of claim 58, further comprising means for scanning for at least one of the eHRPD neighbors.

60. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

in response to an AT attempting a transition from a first wireless communication system to a second wireless communication system, code for causing a computer to access a neighbor list for the AT, each neighboring system in the list being prioritized based at least in part on whether the AT supports a hybrid mode; and

code for causing a computer to select the second system to handin to based at least in part on the neighbor list.

61. The computer program product of claim 60, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to:

detect at least one eHRPD neighbor;

in response to the AT not supporting the hybrid mode, compare relative thresholds of the first system and the at least one eHRPD neighbor against respective first system and eHRPD signal qualities; and

instruct the AT to transition to the at least one eHRPD neighbor when the first system signal quality is lower than a first threshold of the first system and/or the eHRPD signal quality is greater than an eHRPD threshold.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the first system comprises an LTE system and the second system comprises a 3GPP2 system.

63. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

in response to an idle transition from a first wireless communication system to a second wireless communication system, code for causing a computer to access a neighbor list, that prioritizes (a) any eHRPD neighbors over any 1×

RTT neighbors and (b) the any 1×

RTT neighbors over any HRPD neighbors; and

code for causing a computer to select the second system to handin to based at least in part on the neighbor list.

64. The computer program product of claim 63, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing a computer to scan for at least one of the eHRPD neighbors.