Multimode background scans of different communication systems on similar frequencies

A method for increasing receiver efficiency in a WCDMA communication system for a communication device with a radio frequency transmitter and a radio frequency receiver for monitoring neighboring control channels operable on a communication system, the method comprising the steps of:

• placing an operating frequency of the monitoring receiver to a neighboring cell channel;
• monitoring a received signal strength of a neighboring cell on a receiver channel;
• determining a desense of the receiver channel from a transmitter power amplifier of the communication device;
• comparing the signal strength with a predetermined threshold and with respect to the desense;
• and
• blanking the receiver when the transmitter power amplifier of the communication device is on and if the predetermined threshold is not exceeded indicating excessive self-interference.

A multimode communication device with a radio frequency transmitter and a radio frequency receiver for monitoring neighboring control channels operable on a communication system, the communication device comprising:

• a transmitter with a power amplifier;
• a front end portion for receiving a communication signal from a neighboring channel;
• a back end portion coupled to the front end portion for correlating and converting the signal in preparation for digital signal processing;
• a detector coupled to the back end portion, the detector measuring a signal strength;
• and
• determining means for determining if a signal from the transmitter power amplifier of the communication device is interfering with the received communication signal, wherein if significant interference is determined the determining means blanks the receiver of the communication device when the transmitter power amplifier is on.