System and method for inter-radio access technology signal measurement

• US 8,385,303 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2011
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• 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:
  US13/271,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20120034880A1
• Time in Patent Office: 503 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 communication during a portion of a macrotechnology based communication, wherein the portion is assigned by a macrotechnology based network component.

Claims

1. A multi-mode user equipment, comprising:

a processor configured to promote measurement of a signal strength of a microtechnology based communication during a portion of a macrotechnology based communication, wherein the portion is assigned by a macrotechnology based network component,

wherein the gap is one of;

a new common measurement gap pattern usable by both a microtechnology and macrotechnology,

a gap previously designated for a macrotechnology-based signal strength, wherein no macrotechnology measurement is made;

a previously existing gap enlarged to allow for both a microtechnology-based signal strength measurement and a macrotechnology-based signal strength measurement in a single gap;

or

an idle time during a data string of a discontinuous reception (DRX) communication.

2. The multi-mode user equipment of claim 1, wherein the portion is defined as a gap in data transmission, wherein the gap is generated by the network component without input from the multi-mode user equipment.

3. The multi-mode user equipment of claim 2, wherein the microtechnology is 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; and

a Wireless Local Area Network.

4. The multi-mode user equipment of claim 2, wherein the macrotechnology is 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; and

a 1×

Evolution-Data Optimized network.

5. The multi-mode user equipment of claim 1, wherein the multi-mode user equipment is unable to simultaneously communicate with the macrotechnology-based network and measure the microtechnology-based signal strength.

6. A method for signal strength measurement, comprising:

measuring a signal strength of a microtechnology based communication during a portion of a macrotechnology based communication, wherein the portion is assigned by a macrotechnology based network component,

wherein the gap one of;

a new common measurement gap pattern usable by both a microtechnology and macrotechnology,

a gap previously designated for a macrotechnology-based signal strength, wherein no macrotechnology measurement is made;

a previously existing gap enlarged to allow for both a microtechnology-based signal strength measurement and a macrotechnology-based signal strength measurement in a single gap;

or

an idle time during a data string of a discontinuous reception (DRX) communication.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

generating the portion by the network component without input from the multi-mode user equipment, wherein the portion is defined as a gap in data transmission.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the microtechnology is 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; and

a Wireless Local Area Network.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the macrotechnology is 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; and

a 1×

Evolution-Data Optimized network.