Mobile Station RF Channel Scanning and Decoding Interleaving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile station scanning and decoding methods for identifying wireless communication networks are time-consuming due to the need for averaging signal strength measurements over a period before decoding system control information.
Innovation Solution
The mobile station decodes system information from the strongest RF channels speculatively throughout the measurement process, interleaving signal strength measurement and decoding, allowing for early identification and selection of optimal networks, reducing overall time required for network identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If signal strength measurements are averaged over a time period before decoding system control information, then measurement precision is improved, but the time required for network identification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing speculative decoding of system control information during the signal strength measurement process, before the averaging is complete. The mobile station decodes BCCH information from the strongest RF channel(s) while measurements are still being taken, rather than waiting for all five measurements to be completed. This allows the decoding process to start in advance, reducing the overall time required for network identification while maintaining measurement precision through the completed averaging process.
2Measurement precision
If the mobile station waits for all signal strength measurements to be completed before decoding control information, then measurement accuracy is ensured, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by overlapping the signal strength measurement process with the system control information decoding process. Instead of completing all measurements first and then decoding, the mobile station continuously performs both operations in parallel. The decoding of BCCH information begins while measurements are ongoing, ensuring that useful actions (both measurement and decoding) continue without interruption, thereby improving productivity while maintaining measurement accuracy through the completed averaging process.
Data Source
AI summary
In one illustrative scanning and decoding method, a signal strength level of an RF signal on an RF channel is measured for a plurality of RF channels of an RF band. The act of measuring a signal strength level is repeated at least one time to obtain at least one other signal strength level of the RF signal. Subsequently, an averaging function is completed with use of the signal strength level and the at least one other signal strength level for identifying an averaged signal strength level of the RF signal. At least one optimal RF signal is then identified based on the averaged signal strength levels of the RF signals on the RF channels. In between the repeated acts of measuring signal strength levels of the RF signals, and prior to identifying the averaged signal strength levels, control information is decoded on at least one of the RF channels and stored in memory. A wireless communication network is selected for communication with use of the control information stored in the memory which corresponds to one of the at least one optimal RF signal. In this manner, the mobile station expeditiously obtains the control information for network selection or other purposes prior to completing the averaging of the signal strength levels.