Parallel Frequency Band Scanning Using Multiple Receive Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
User equipment, such as mobile phones, experience a lengthy scanning process for multiple frequency bands during boot-up, leading to a negative user experience due to the time-consuming process of scanning ten or more frequency bands, which can take several minutes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing carrier aggregation technology to utilize multiple receive chains for parallel scanning of frequency bands, allowing simultaneous scanning of multiple bands using independent receive paths, thereby reducing the overall scanning time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If sequential scanning of multiple frequency bands is performed using a single receive chain, then the scanning process is simple and reliable, but the scanning time becomes excessively long (several minutes)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency band scanning task by dividing it into multiple parallel scanning operations. Instead of scanning all frequency bands sequentially with one receive chain, the system divides the frequency bands into multiple groups and assigns each group to a separate receive chain for simultaneous scanning. This segmentation enables parallel processing of the scanning task, dramatically reducing the total scanning time from several minutes to a much shorter duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional sequential scanning approach (single receive chain scanning frequency bands one after another) to a multi-dimensional parallel scanning approach. By introducing multiple receive chains operating simultaneously on different frequency bands, the system adds a temporal dimension to the scanning process, allowing multiple scanning operations to occur concurrently rather than sequentially.
2Productivity
If parallel scanning using multiple receive chains is implemented, then scanning time is reduced, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the receive chains multi-functional by enabling them to perform both their primary function (receiving and processing cellular signals for carrier aggregation) and a secondary function (scanning frequency bands for network selection). During idle periods or in conjunction with their primary function, the receive chains execute scanning operations on assigned frequency bands. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve parallel scanning capability without adding dedicated scanning hardware, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The receive chains are designed to autonomously perform scanning operations on their assigned frequency bands without requiring centralized coordination for each scanning step. Each receive chain independently manages its own scanning process, signal processing, and network detection tasks. This self-service capability reduces the control overhead and simplifies the overall system architecture, making the parallel scanning implementation more efficient and less complex.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is directed to systems, methods and computer program products for scanning frequency bands at a device in order to find a network. An exemplary method comprises substantially simultaneously scanning a first frequency band using a first receive chain in the device and a second frequency band using a second receive chain in the device; determining, based on priority information accessed by the device, whether a first network found on the first frequency band has priority over a second network found on the second frequency band; and determining whether to connect the device to the first network or the second network based on determining whether the first network has priority over the second network.