System and method for inter-radio access technology signal measurement

• US 8,089,942 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2007
• Issued: 01/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Cai, Zhijun, Young, Gordon Peter, Suzuki, Takashi, Wu, Wei, Womack, James Earl
• Primary Examiner(s): Mui, Gary
• Application Number:
  US11/869,437
• Publication Number:
  US 20090092107A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,547 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 370/331, 370/252, 370/253, 370229-238, 455436-444
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0085 Hand-off measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• 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

A multi-mode user equipment is provided. The multi-mode user equipment includes a processor configured to promote measurement of a signal strength of a microtechnology-based network during a portion of a macrotechnology-based communication from a network component to the multi-mode user equipment. The signal strength of the microtechnology-based network is measured during a portion of the macrotechnology-based communication when no user data is being transmitted.

Claims

1. A multi-mode user equipment, comprising:

a processor configured to promote measurement of a signal strength of a microtechnology-based network during a portion of a macrotechnology-based communication from a network component to the multi-mode user equipment, wherein the macrotechnology-based communication comprises a discontinuous reception (DRX) communication, wherein the DRX communication comprises data strings and transmission gaps, wherein the processor is further configured to measure the signal strength of the microtechnology-based network during an idle time within a data string of the macrotechnology-based data communication, and wherein the idle time comprises a remaining time within the data string after communication of data within the data string.

2. The multi-mode user equipment of claim 1, wherein the microtechnology-based network comprises any one of:

a Wireless Fidelity network;

a wireless local access network using a home base station;

a wireless local access network using a home Enhanced Node B;

or

a Wireless Local Area Network.

3. The multi-mode user equipment of claim 1, wherein the macrotechnology-based communication is from a network component of a network which comprises any one of:

a Code Division Multiple Access 2000 network;

a Long Term Evolution ‘

LTE’

network;

a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access Network;

a Global System for Mobile Communications ‘

GSM’

network;

a Ultra Mobile Broadband ‘

UMB’

network;

a GSM EDGE Radio Access Network;

or

a 1×

Evolution-Data Optimized network.

4. A method of measuring signal strength, comprising:

measuring a signal strength of a microtechnology-based network during an idle time within a macrotechnology-based discontinuous reception (DRX) communication, wherein the DRX communication comprises data strings and transmission gaps, and wherein the idle time occurs within the data string during remaining time within the data string after communication of data within the data string.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the microtechnology based network is any one of:

a Wireless Fidelity network,

a wireless local access network using a home base station,

a wireless local access network using a home Enhanced Node B, or

a Wireless Local Area Network; and

wherein the macrotechnology based system is any one of;

a Long Term Evolution ‘

LTE’

network,

a Code Division Multiple Access 2000 network,

a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access Network,

a Global System for Mobile Communications ‘

GSM’

network,

a Ultra Mobile Broadband ‘

UMB’

network,

a GSM EDGE Radio Access Network, or

a 1×

Evolution-Data Optimized network.