Radio channel fast scanning

#This disclosure relates to wireless communication and in particular, scanning radio channels by a wireless device.

#Fast scanning of radio channels is desirable in wireless communications. In particular, fast scanning is useful in wireless technologies that use frequency hopping, or when there are several possibilities for the center frequency of broadcast channels or beacons. One example of this is Multefire (MF) narrow band Internet of things (NB-IoT), a version of NB-IoT that operates in unlicensed bands. In the United States, MF NB-IoT operates in the 915 MHz industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band. An MF NB-IoT cell transmits an anchor segment and a data segment in a multi-frame (m-frame) of 80 ms (8 radio frames). This is shown in FIG. 1.

#The anchor segment includes synchronization channels, a broadcast channel, and system information, and is transmitted at a fixed frequency in a cell. However, different cells may use different frequencies for the anchor segment. A predetermined list of frequencies that can be used for transmitting the anchor segment in a MF NB-IoT network is made available. When a wireless device (WD) needs to connect to the network, it will first perform a cell search without knowing the exact frequency in the list over which the anchor segment is transmitted in its coverage area.

#A more complete understanding of the present embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

#FIG. 1 illustrates an 8 frame multi-frame;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a backscattering device;

#Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and processing steps related to scanning of radio channels by a wireless device. Accordingly, components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

#The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the concepts described herein. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

#In embodiments described herein, the joining term, “in communication with” and the like, may be used to indicate electrical or data communication, which may be accomplished by physical contact, induction, electromagnetic radiation, radio signaling, infrared signaling or optical signaling, for example. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that multiple components may interoperate and modifications and variations are possible of achieving the electrical and data communication.