Systems and methods for fast terminal synchronization in a wireless communication system
First Claim
1. A method for synchronization with a transmitter of a mobile terminal having a list of candidate carriers comprising the steps of:
- selecting a first carrier from the list of candidate carriers;
generating a power profile of the first carrier based on readings of a first number of multiframes;
comparing the power profile of the first carrier to a first threshold criteria;
synchronizing to the first carrier if the power profile of the first carrier satisfies the first threshold criteria;
selecting a second carrier from the list of candidate carriers if the power profile of the first carrier does not satisfy the first threshold criteria;
generating a power profile of the second carrier based on readings of a second number of multiframes, the second number being greater than the first number;
comparing the power profile of the second carrier to a second threshold criteria; and
synchronizing to the second carrier if the power profile of the second carrier satisfies the second threshold criteria.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for synchronization of a mobile terminal to a communication system which provide faster access to the communication system and reduced risk of non-productive battery power consumption. In particular, the methods and systems of the present invention test one candidate carrier from a list of candidate carriers and perform a power profile to obtain an indication of signal strength of the carrier. This signal measurement is then compared to a threshold criteria. If the criteria is satisfied, the mobile terminal attempts synchronization with that carrier and, if successful, establishes a connection with the communication system. If the criteria is not satisfied, another candidate carrier is selected and tested similarly. Furthermore, the methods and systems of the present invention provide for tiered searching for a valid carrier with each level providing an increased likelihood of finding a carrier while, potentially, requiring a greater amount of time to obtain synchronization. The methods and systems of the present invention also provide a hierarchical approach to searching when no carrier has been identified which reduces the rate of battery power consumption while the mobile terminal is attempting to synchronize with a communication system.
53 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A method for synchronization with a transmitter of a mobile terminal having a list of candidate carriers comprising the steps of:
-
selecting a first carrier from the list of candidate carriers;
generating a power profile of the first carrier based on readings of a first number of multiframes;
comparing the power profile of the first carrier to a first threshold criteria;
synchronizing to the first carrier if the power profile of the first carrier satisfies the first threshold criteria;
selecting a second carrier from the list of candidate carriers if the power profile of the first carrier does not satisfy the first threshold criteria;
generating a power profile of the second carrier based on readings of a second number of multiframes, the second number being greater than the first number;
comparing the power profile of the second carrier to a second threshold criteria; and
synchronizing to the second carrier if the power profile of the second carrier satisfies the second threshold criteria. - View Dependent Claims (2)
-
-
3. A method for synchronization with a transmitter of a mobile terminal having a list of candidate carriers comprising the steps of:
-
selecting a first carrier from a first candidate subset of the list of candidate carriers;
generating a power profile of the first carrier;
comparing the power profile of the first carrier to a first threshold criteria;
synchronizing to the first carrier if the power profile of the first carrier satisfies the first threshold criteria;
selecting a second carrier from a second candidate subset of the list of candidate carriers if the power profile of the first carrier does not satisfy the first threshold criteria;
generating a power profile of the second carrier;
comparing the power profile of the second carrier to a second threshold criteria; and
synchronizing to the second carrier if the power profile of the second carrier satisfies the second threshold criteria. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
coarse synchronizing to the first carrier; and
thenfine synchronizing to the first carrier.
-
-
10. A method according to claim 9 wherein the synchronizing to the first carrier step includes the steps of:
-
reading data from the first carrier;
determining if the data is valid; and
wherein the step of selecting a second carrier further comprises the step of selecting a second carrier from the list of candidate carriers if the data is not valid.
-
-
11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the data is a broadcast control channel burst.
-
12. A method according to claim 9 wherein the fine synchronizing step is preceded by the step of comparing a measure of coarse synchronization to the first carrier to a third threshold criteria and wherein the fine synchronizing step fine synchronizes to the first carrier if the measure of coarse synchronization satisfies the third threshold criteria.
-
13. A method according to claim 3 wherein the step of comparing the power profile of the first carrier is followed by the steps of:
-
entering a watch mode if the power profile of the first carrier does not satisfy the first threshold criteria;
repeating the steps of selecting a first carrier, generating a power of the first carrier, comparing the power profile of the first carrier and synchronizing to the first carrier at predetermined intervals during the watch mode; and
exiting the watch mode if the power profile of the first carrier satisfies the threshold criteria.
-
-
14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the repeating step is performed for each of a selected plurality of candidates of the first candidate subset, selected as the first carrier for respective ones of the predetermined intervals, which are most likely to have a power profile which satisfies the first threshold criteria.
-
15. A method according to claim 3 wherein the list of candidate carriers is the first candidate subset.
-
16. A method for synchronization with a transmitter of a mobile terminal having a list of candidate carriers comprising the steps of:
-
selecting a first carrier from the list of candidate carriers;
generating a power profile of the first carrier;
comparing the power profile of the first carrier to a first threshold criteria; and
coarse synchronizing to the first carrier if the power profile of the first carrier satisfies the first threshold;
comparing a measure of the coarse synchronization to a coarse synchronization threshold criteria; and
fine synchronizing to the first carrier if the measure of the coarse synchronization satisfies the coarse synchronization threshold criteria.
-
-
17. A method for synchronization with a transmitter of a mobile terminal having a list of candidate carriers while conserving mobile terminal battery life comprising the steps of:
-
selecting a first carrier from the list of candidate carriers;
generating a power profile of the first carrier;
comparing the power profile of the first carrier to a first threshold criteria;
synchronizing to the first carrier if the power profile of the first carrier satisfies the first threshold criteria;
entering a watch mode if the power profile of the first carrier does not satisfy the first threshold criteria;
repeating the selecting, generating, comparing and synchronizing steps at predetermined intervals during the watch mode; and
exiting the watch mode if the power profile of the first carrier satisfies the first threshold criteria. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
Specification