Inter-radio access technology measurement system and method
A network access device is provided with one or more processors configured for macrotechnology-based transmission to a multi-mode user equipment of a signal including a plurality of data portions and a plurality of gaps between one or more of the plurality of data portions, wherein at least one of the gaps is used by the multi-mode user equipment for measurement of a first signal strength of a microtechnology-based network.
1. A network access device, comprising:
one or more processors configured for macrotechnology-based transmission to a multi-mode user equipment of a signal including a plurality of data portions and a plurality of gaps between one or more of the plurality of data portions, wherein at least one of the gaps is used by the multi-mode user equipment for measurement of a first signal strength of a microtechnology-based network, wherein the processor is further configured to use a gap previously designated for macrotechnology-based signal strength measurement to perform the microtechnology-based signal strength measurement.
2. The network access device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of gaps is generated based upon a request received from the multi-mode user equipment.
3. The network access device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
define a new common measurement gap pattern usable by both a microtechnology and a macrotechnology.
4. The network access device of claim 1 , 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; and
wherein the macrotechnology is one of:
a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network,
a Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) 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 GSM EDGE Radio Access Network; and
a 1× Evolution-Data Optimized network.
5. A method for measuring signal strength, comprising:
transmitting a macrotechnology-based transmission to a multi-mode user equipment of a signal including a plurality of data portions and a plurality of gaps between one or more of the plurality of data portions;
using at least one of the gaps at the multi-mode user equipment for measurement of a first signal strength of a microtechnology-based network; and using a gap previously designated for macrotechnology-based signal strength measurement to perform the microtechnology-based signal strength measurement.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of gaps is generated based upon a request received from the multi-mode user equipment.
7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
defining a new common measurement gap pattern usable by both a microtechnology and a macrotechnology.
8. The method of claim 5 , 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; and
and wherein the macrotechnology is one of:
a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network,
a Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) 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 GSM EDGE Radio Access Network; and
a 1× Evolution-Data Optimized network.
9. A multi-mode user equipment comprising:
one or more components configured to:
receive a macrotechnology-based signal comprising a plurality of data portions and a plurality of gaps between one or more of the plurality of data portions;
during at least one of the gaps, measure a first signal strength of a microtechnology-based network, wherein the at least one of the gaps used to perform the microtechnology-based signal strength measurement was previously designated for macrotechnology-based signal strength measurement.
10. The multi-mode user equipment of claim 9 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of gaps is generated based upon a request from the multi-mode user equipment.
11. The multi-mode user equipment of claim 9 , wherein the one or more components are further configured to:
define a new common measurement gap pattern usable by both a microtechnology and a macrotechnology.
12. The multi-mode user equipment of claim 9 , 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; and
wherein the macrotechnology is one of:
a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network,
a Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) 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 GSM EDGE Radio Access Network; and
a 1× Evolution-Data Optimized network.