HK1186333A - Wireless communication device capable of efficient radio access technology measurements - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a wireless communication device that is capable of performing efficient measurements of secondary radio access technologies (RATs). The device includes multiple receiver chains. While operating in a first RAT, the device receives a measurement gap in order to perform measurements. Even though the measurement gap may be too small to adequately measure the other RAT, the device controls one of the receiver chains to measure the other RAT during a time period that overlaps with the measurement gap. In addition, when preparing for an inter-RAT handoff, the device controls one of the receiver chains to perform measurements regardless of whether a measurement gap has been received. In this manner, measurements of alternative RATs are efficiently performed, and handoff latency is significantly reduced.

Description

Wireless communication device capable of effectively measuring wireless access technology

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This patent application claims the rights of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/562,196 filed on 21/11/2011 and U.S. patent application No. 13/341,686 filed on 30/12/2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to wireless communication, and more particularly, to a wireless communication apparatus capable of efficiently measuring a secondary radio access technology.

Background

Wireless communication devices, such as cellular telephones as an example, are becoming increasingly common in both personal and business environments. Wireless communication devices enable users to access various information and to communicate over large distances with other such devices. For example, a user may access a network through a web browser on the device, download an applet (e.g., an "app") from the digital marketplace, send and receive email, or place a call using voice over internet protocol (VoIP). Thus, wireless communication devices provide significant mobility to users while allowing the users to remain "connected" to the communication channel and information.

A wireless communication device communicates with one or more other wireless communication devices or wireless access points to transmit and receive data. Generally, a first wireless communication device generates and transmits a radio frequency signal modulated with encoded information. The radio frequency signal is transmitted into a wireless environment and received by a second wireless communication device. The second wireless communication device demodulates and decodes the received signal, thereby obtaining information. The second wireless communication device may then respond in a similar manner. The wireless communication devices may communicate with each other or with the access point using any well-known modulation scheme, including simple Amplitude Modulation (AM), simple Frequency Modulation (FM), Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), Phase Shift Keying (PSK), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), and/or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), as well as any other communication scheme known now or in the future.

Different wireless communication devices may communicate using any of different Radio Access Technologies (RATs), including WiMAX, LTE, 4G, 3G, 2G, and WiFi. Some devices may be capable of communicating using multiple different RATs. At any given time, the multiple RAT devices may currently communicate using the first RAT while measuring signals from one or more second RATs that are not currently used by the devices, but that may be used in the future if conditions allow them. The second RAT is measured only during a time period allocated to a measurement gap provided by the first RAT.

Due to this measurement scheme, the performance of current devices suffers. In particular, the measurement gaps for the first RAT are not sufficient for measuring the second RAT. For example, the 2G measurement gap is about 4.6 ms. However, 4G measurements typically require 5 to 6 ms. As a result, in order to make a 4G measurement, current devices must ignore several incoming 2G packets immediately following the 2G measurement gap to complete the 4G measurement. This may result in erroneous signals and/or reduced throughput for retransmission of ignored signals.

In addition, when switching from a first RAT to a second RAT, a typical device must again acquire measurements (values) from the second RAT. Such handover measurements are made after the communication with the first RAT is stopped, which significantly increases the handover preparation time and thus increases the handover delay.

Therefore, a wireless communication apparatus capable of efficiently performing measurement of the second RAT is required. Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention provides a wireless communication apparatus, including: a first communication module configured to communicate with another wireless communication apparatus using a first RAT (radio access technology); a second communication module configured to perform measurements of a second RAT, wherein the first communication module is configured to maintain a communication link of the first RAT with another wireless communication device during the measurements of the second RAT.

Preferably, the second communication module is configured to make measurements of the second RAT in measurement gaps associated with the first RAT.

Preferably, the second communication module is configured to start the measurement before the measurement gap and to end the measurement after the measurement gap.

Preferably, the second communication module is configured to start the measurement during the measurement gap and to end the measurement after the measurement gap.

Preferably, the second communication module is configured to start the measurement before the measurement gap and end the measurement during the measurement gap.

Preferably, the wireless communication apparatus further comprises a controller module configured to set a priority of the measurement.

Preferably, the second communication module is configured to make measurements of the second RAT in measurement gaps associated with the first RAT when the controller module sets the measurements to normal priority.

Preferably, the second communication module performs the measurement of the second RAT when the controller module sets the measurement to high priority, regardless of whether there is a measurement gap for the first RAT.

Preferably, the controller module is configured to set the priority of the measurement to a high priority when the measurement is to be made during an expected handover.

The present invention also provides a wireless communication apparatus, comprising: a first communication module configured to communicate using a first RAT and to make measurements of a second RAT; a second communication module configured to communicate using the first RAT and also to make measurements of a second RAT; and a measurement module configured to select one of the first communication module or the second communication module to perform measurements of the second RAT.

Preferably, the measurement module is configured to switch between selecting the first communication module and selecting the second communication module at a predetermined cycle.

Preferably, the measurement module is configured to select the first communication module to measure when the second communication module performs a previous most recent measurement, and is configured to select the second communication module to measure when the first communication module performs a previous most recent measurement.

Preferably, the measurement module is configured to randomly select one of the first communication module or the second communication module to perform the measurement.

Preferably, the wireless communications apparatus further comprises a controller module configured to determine which of the first or second communications modules has worse first RAT communications, and wherein the measurement module is configured to select the communications module determined by the controller module to have worse first RAT communications.

The present invention also provides a method for making measurements of a second RAT (radio access technology) in a wireless communication device currently communicating using a first RAT, the method comprising: determining a priority of measurements to be made of the second RAT; and making measurements of the second RAT.

Preferably, the method further comprises receiving a measurement gap, wherein the taking of the measurement overlaps with the measurement gap.

Preferably, the taking of measurements starts before the measurement gap and ends after the measurement gap.

Preferably, the taking of measurements starts before the measurement gap and ends during the measurement gap.

Preferably, the taking of measurements starts during the measurement gap and ends after the measurement gap.

Preferably, the measurement is taken immediately if it is determined that the measurement has a high priority, and wherein the measurement is taken overlapping with the measurement gap if it is determined that the measurement does not have a high priority.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Further, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication environment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication device implemented as part of a wireless communication environment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3A illustrates a measurement timing configuration that may be implemented by a wireless communication device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3B illustrates a measurement timing configuration that may be implemented by a wireless communication device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 shows a block diagram of a method of measuring a second RAT within a wireless communication device according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the reference number.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that illustrate exemplary embodiments consistent with this invention. Reference in the detailed description to "one exemplary embodiment," "an example exemplary embodiment," etc., indicates that the exemplary embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every exemplary embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same exemplary embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an exemplary embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other exemplary embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

The exemplary embodiments described herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Other exemplary embodiments are possible, and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention. The detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be defined only by the following claims and their equivalents.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware (e.g., circuitry), firmware, software, or any combination thereof. Embodiments of the invention may also be implemented as instructions stored on a machine-readable medium, which may be read and executed by one or more processors. A machine-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computing device). For example, a machine-readable medium may include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash-memory devices, electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signals (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.), and others. Also, firmware, software, programs, instructions may be described herein as performing particular actions. However, it should be understood that such descriptions are merely for convenience and that such actions in fact result from computing devices, processors, controllers, or other devices executing the firmware, software, programs, instructions, etc.

The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments reveals the general nature of the invention very completely, so that others can, by applying knowledge of one skilled in the relevant art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such as the exemplary embodiments without undue experimentation, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the exemplary embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings herein.

Although the present invention is described in terms of wireless communications, and in particular, cellular communications, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that the present invention may be applied to other communications using wired or other wireless communication methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Exemplary Wireless communication Environment

Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication environment 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication environment 100 provides for wireless communication of information, such as one or more commands and/or data, between wireless communication devices. A wireless communication device may each be implemented as a standalone or discrete device, such as a mobile telephone, or may be included within or coupled to another electrical device or host device, such as a portable computing device, camera, or Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, or another computing device, such as a personal digital assistant, video game device, notebook, desktop, or tablet computer, a computer peripheral, such as a printer or portable audio and/or video player, as examples, and/or any other suitable electronic device as will be apparent to those of skill in the relevant art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The exemplary wireless communication environment 100 includes a first wireless communication device 110 and a second wireless communication device 150. The first wireless communication device 110 may represent an exemplary embodiment of a user equipment and the second wireless communication device 150 may represent a second user equipment or an exemplary embodiment of a base station in a cellular communication network.

The first wireless communication device 110 transmits the first wireless signal 115 to the second wireless communication device 150 using any acceptable modulation scheme. The second wireless communication device 150 receives the first wireless signal 115. The second wireless communication device 150 processes the received first wireless signal and, if necessary, sends a second wireless signal 155 back to the first wireless communication device 110. In this way, the first wireless communication device 110 and the second wireless communication device 150 exchange information ("communicate") with each other.

Exemplary Wireless communication device

Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communication device 200 implemented as part of the wireless communication environment 100, according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication device 200 includes a first communication module 210 and a second communication module 220, and may represent exemplary embodiments of the first wireless communication device 110 or the second wireless communication device 150.

The wireless communication device 200 includes a controller module 230 that performs most of the functions in the wireless communication device 200, including background processing, signal processing, and control. The controller module 230 is connected to each of the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 220. The first communication module 210 receives signals from the wireless communication environment 100 through the antenna 201 and transmits signals to the wireless communication environment 100. The first communication module 210 may include a first receiver circuit (chain) for independently receiving and front-end processing signals. The second communication module 220 receives signals from the wireless communication environment 100 through the antenna 202 and transmits signals to the wireless communication environment 100. The second communication module 220 may include a second receiver circuit for independently receiving and front-end processing signals.

Upon receiving signals from the wireless communication environment 100, the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 220 perform front-end processing on the received signals and forward the received signals to the controller module 230. Front-end processing may include down-conversion, demodulation, and decoding in its processing. The controller module 230 may also control the operation of one or more of the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 220 and generate signals for transmission by the one or more of the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 220.

Depending on the current RAT, the wireless communication device may communicate using one or both of the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 220. For example, typical 4G communications require at least two antennas and receive circuitry, whereas typical 2G communications require the use of only a single antenna and/or receive circuitry. Accordingly, the controller module 230 controls the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 220 to receive signals from the wireless communication environment 100 when communicating in 4G. Alternatively, the controller module 230 controls only the first communication module 210 to receive signals from the wireless communication environment 100 when communicating in 2G.

During the communication, measurements are needed for the current RAT and the secondary (alternative) RAT. By way of measurement, the wireless communication device 200 can optimize communication by adjusting the modulation/coding scheme on the current RAT, or by initiating a handover to an alternate RAT. To control the measurement of the first communication module 210 and/or the second communication module 220, the wireless communication device 200 further includes a measurement module 240. The measurement module 240 receives a command from the controller module 230 whether to start a measurement and is able to request and detect a measurement gap, as discussed in further detail below.

Exemplary device configuration for measuring alternative radio access technologies

Overlap of measurement and measurement gap

Fig. 3A illustrates a measurement timing configuration that may be implemented by the wireless communication device 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

As described above, when attempting to perform measurement on a RAT whose measurement time exceeds the measurement gap time allocated to the current RAT, the performance of an apparatus capable of communicating by a plurality of RATs is complicated. This typically occurs when communicating on a single antenna RAT, such as 2G.

Fig. 3A shows communication timing 300A of the first communication module 210 and communication timing 300B of the second communication module 220 at which measurements 325 are made of an alternative RAT. Each of the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 220 can communicate using the same or different RATs. The communication timing 300A includes a communication link 305 with another wireless communication device and measurement gaps 310 are implemented between data transmissions. As shown in fig. 3A, the duration of the measurement 325 (time t 1-t 4) exceeds the amount of time allocated to the measurement gap 310 by the current RAT (time t 2-t 3).

In this case, the control module 230 instructs the measurement module 240 to perform the measurement. After receiving the measurement instruction from the control module 230, the measurement module 240 causes the first communication module 210 and/or the second communication module 220 to request a measurement gap from a wireless communication device (e.g., a base station) with which the wireless communication device 200 is currently communicating. The communication module requesting the measurement gap 310 is preferably a communication module communicating on the current RAT.

At time t0, the first communication module 210 communicates with another wireless communication device using the current RAT. In anticipation of approaching the measurement gap 310, and since the current RAT only requires a single communication module to operate, the measurement module 240 controls the second communication module 220 to begin making measurements 325 of the second RAT at time t 1. At time t2, the first communication module 210 ends the data communication and begins measuring the gap 310. The measurement gap 310 ends at time t3, at which time the first communication module 210 resumes data communication. At time t4, measurement 325 ends.

It is to be appreciated that the measurements 325 can include one or more measured channel conditions of the measured RAT (such as CINR, RSSI, etc.) as well as acquired system information of the measured RAT (such as time offset, system frame number, etc.). However, when measurements are made during measurement gaps (as in fig. 3A), measurements 325 are typically used to measure channel conditions.

This measurement timing arrangement has a number of advantages over prior related art devices. In particular, the measurement module 240 causes the measurement 325 to be made by only one communication module, i.e., a communication module not used by the current RAT. In this way, communication on the current RAT proceeds uninterrupted and no communication data is dropped when measuring the second RAT. In other words, even if the duration of the measurement 325 exceeds the measurement gap 310, no data need be sacrificed to make the measurement 325. Further, by scheduling the measurements 325 to overlap at least the measurement gaps 325, the negative impact of the measurements 325 on the current communication is minimized. Specifically, measurements 325 are made while also attempting to communicate over the current RAT, which adds unwanted noise and interference to the received signal on the current RAT. By overlapping the measurement gap, the added noise and interference is significantly reduced.

One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many modifications may be made to wireless communication device 200 and/or measurement timing configurations within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, depending on the application, the measurement 325 may be scheduled to begin at the beginning of the measurement gap 305 (time t 2) instead of at the expected measurement gap 305 (time t 1), or it may be scheduled to only partially overlap the measurement gap 305.

Measuring outside the measuring gap

Fig. 3B illustrates a measurement timing configuration that may be implemented by the wireless communication device 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

As mentioned above, the alternative RAT should typically be measured during the measurement gaps to avoid adding unwanted noise and interference to the signal introduced by the current RAT. However, in some cases it may be desirable to perform measurement 325 regardless of whether a measurement gap has been received.

One such case is preparation for handover to the second RAT. In particular, after some analysis of the current RAT and the second RAT, the controller module 230 of the wireless communication device 200 may determine that communications should be handed over from the current RAT to the second RAT. This typically occurs when conditions on the second RAT exceed conditions on the current RAT, such that handover may enhance communication quality.

Once the handover to the second RAT has been decided, the controller module 230 instructs the measurement module 240 to make measurements 325. The controller module 230 also identifies the measurement 325 as having a "high priority". This may be performed simply by setting a priority flag within the control signal to the measurement module, or by any other means known now or in the future.

After receiving the instruction to make a high priority measurement, the measurement module 240 does not require or wait for a measurement gap, but causes the second communication module 220 to make the measurement of the second RAT immediately (or with minimal delay), as shown in fig. 3B.

Fig. 3B shows that at time t0, the first communication module 210 communicates over the current RAT. At time t1 or slightly before time t1, measurement module 240 receives an instruction to make a high priority measurement 325. At time t1, the measurement module 240 causes the second communication module 220 to make a measurement 325, regardless of whether the first communication module 210 has received a measurement gap. The measurement module 240 preferably causes the measurement 325 to be taken with minimal delay from the time the measurement instruction is received. At time t2, measurement 325 ends. Assuming that a high priority measurement is required in anticipation of a handover between RATs, at a subsequent time t3, the controller module 230 begins the handover and at time t4, the communication 310 on the current RAT ends. At this point, communication on the alternative RAT may begin.

As described above, it should be understood that measurements 325 may include one or more measured channel conditions of the measured RAT (such as CINR, RSSI, etc.) as well as acquired system information of the measured RAT (such as time offset, system frame number, etc.). However, when measurements are made in preparation for handover (as in fig. 3B), the measurements 325 are typically used to obtain system information for the target RAT.

This measurement timing configuration also has a number of advantages over prior related art devices. In particular, in a typical device, all measurements for handover must be made after the communication on the current RAT is over. This significantly increases the switching delay because the measurement 325 is not started until time t4 in the time axis shown in fig. 3B. By making measurements 325 during communications 310 on the current RAT, handover latency may be significantly reduced. Furthermore, the controller module 230 has determined that conditions on the current RAT are not needed because of the high priority measurements 325 made in anticipation of a handover. As a result, any noise added by the measurements 325 made during the course of the communication 310 is unlikely to have a significant impact on the current communication. In other words, the current RAT may already have noise, and adding additional noise is unlikely to have a significant impact on signal quality.

In addition to possibly adding noise to the current RAT, measurements made outside of measurement gaps may be underestimated because the current RAT is turned ON (ON) over the air and/or because the current RAT is transmitting signals while measuring a new RAT. However, by qualifying the effects of leakage as part of the initial calibration, this underestimation can be accurately compensated.

Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many modifications may be made to the above measurement timing configurations, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the measurement module 240 may wait a predetermined period of time for a measurement gap before making a high priority measurement 325. Alternatively, a high priority measurement 325 may be made to overlap the end of communications on the current RAT. This configuration still reduces handover latency, but to a lesser extent, and further reduces the negative impact of making measurements during communications by the current RAT.

Selecting a communication circuit to measure

As described above, when the controller module 230 determines that measurement of an alternative RAT is required, the controller module 230 instructs the measurement module 240 accordingly. The measurement module 240 then controls one of the first communication module 210 or the second communication module 220 to make measurements, however, while one of the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 220 is making measurements, the other remains communicating on the current RAT. Therefore, the wireless communication device 200 must select the communication module to be measured, as discussed in detail below.

In a first configuration, when measurements are to be made, the measurement module 240 causes the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 220 to take turns measuring alternative RATs at a predetermined periodicity. The first communication module 210 and the second communication module 220 may switch measurement responsibilities within a single measurement, such as by measuring one measurement after another, or after a predetermined number of measurements. In this way, the wireless communication apparatus 200 can receive measurements from each of the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 220 with higher measurement accuracy.

In the second configuration, the controller module 230 maintains communication characteristics of the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 220 with respect to the current RAT. For example, the controller module 230 may track the communication quality of the first communication module 210 and the second communication module 220 with respect to the current RAT. Based on various characteristics of the communication module, communication quality may be measured, including SINR (signal to interference plus noise ratio), CINR (carrier to interference plus noise ratio) or RSSI (received signal strength indication) of the received signal, as well as any other signal strength determination method known now or in the future. When measurements are made, the controller module 230 also indicates to the measurement module 240 the communication module with the best current RAT characteristics. The measurement module 240 then controls the stronger communication module to maintain communication on the current RAT and controls the weaker communication module to make measurements.

For example, the controller module 230 may determine that the first communication module 210 has stronger current RAT communication characteristics than the second communication module 220. The controller module 230 then instructs the measurement module 240 to make the measurement and informs the measurement module 240 that the first communication module 210 has stronger current RAT communication characteristics. The measurement module 240 then controls the second communication module 220 to perform the required measurements on the alternative RAT, while controlling the first communication module 210 to continue the current RAT communication.

With this configuration, the wireless communication device 200 maintains its strongest current RAT communication link. As a result, the measurement has minimal impact on the current communication of the wireless communication device 200.

Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many modifications may be made to the configurations above, and that alternative configurations may be possible, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the measurement module 240 may randomly select a communication module to measure. Further, one skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the above-described configuration may be extended to more than two communication modules and may be used together in the same wireless communication device.

Exemplary method for alternative radio Access technology measurements in a Wireless communication device

Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of a method for making measurements of an alternative RAT (a RAT not currently used for communication) in a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device preferably includes at least a first communication module and a second communication module.

The method begins at step 410, where the wireless communication device begins measuring an alternate RAT. The method then proceeds to step 420. In step 420, the wireless communication device determines whether the measurement is a high priority measurement.

If the measurement is not of high priority, the method proceeds to step 430. In step 430, the wireless communication device determines whether a measurement gap has been received. If a measurement gap has not been received, the method returns to step 430. If a measurement gap has been received, the method proceeds to step 440. In step 440, the wireless communication device measures the alternative RAT using at least one of the first communication module and the second communication module for a time period that overlaps with the measurement gap. The method then proceeds to step 460 where the method ends.

Alternatively, if the measurement is of high priority, the method proceeds to step 430. In step 430, the wireless communication device immediately measures (with minimal delay) the alternative RAT without waiting for the gap to be measured. The method then proceeds to step 460 where the method ends.

One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the method may additionally or alternatively include any of the functionality of the wireless communication device 200 described above, and the above description of an exemplary method should not be construed as limiting the method, nor should it be construed as limiting the description of the wireless communication device 200.

Conclusion

It is to be understood that the detailed description section, and not the abstract section, is intended to be used to interpret the claims. The abstract section may set forth one or more, but not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and thus, is not intended to limit the invention and the appended claims in any way.

The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specific functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional elements have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Other boundaries may be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.

It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (10)

1. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a first communication module configured to communicate with another wireless communication apparatus using a first radio access technology;

a second communication module configured to make measurements of a second radio access technology,

wherein the first communication module is configured to maintain a communication link of the first radio access technology with the other wireless communication apparatus during the measurement of the second radio access technology.

2. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second communication module is configured to make measurements of the second radio access technology in measurement gaps associated with the first radio access technology.

3. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second communication module is configured to:

starting the measurement before the measurement gap and ending the measurement after the measurement gap, or

Starting the measurement during the measurement gap and ending the measurement after the measurement gap, or

The measurement is started before the measurement gap and ended during the measurement gap.

4. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller module configured to set a priority of the measurements.

5. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second communication module is configured to take the measurement of the second radio access technology in a measurement gap associated with the first radio access technology when the controller module sets the measurement to a normal priority.

6. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a first communication module configured to communicate using a first radio access technology and to make measurements of a second radio access technology;

a second communication module configured to communicate using the first radio access technology and also to make measurements of the second radio access technology; and

a measurement module configured to select one of the first communication module or the second communication module to perform the measurement of the second radio access technology.

7. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 6, wherein the measurement module is configured to:

switching between selecting the first communication module and selecting the second communication module at a predetermined cycle, or

The first communication module is selected to make the measurement when the second communication module makes a previous most recent measurement, and is configured to select the second communication module to make the measurement when the first communication module makes a previous most recent measurement, or to randomly select one of the first communication module or the second communication module to make the measurement.

8. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a controller module configured to determine which of the first communication module or the second communication module has a worse first radio access technology communication, and

wherein the measurement module is configured to select a communication module determined by the controller module to have the worse first radio access technology communication.

9. A method for making measurements of a second radio access technology in a wireless communication device currently communicating using a first radio access technology, the method comprising:

determining a priority of measurements to be made of the second radio access technology; and

making the measurement of the second radio access technology.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising receiving a measurement gap,

wherein the measurement is made overlapping the measurement gap.