Efficient gap allocation for cell measurements in asynchronous communication networks

An apparatus comprising:

• a controller operative to establish communication with a first communication network and to determine timing of at least one cell in a second communication network that is asynchronous with the first communication network;
• a transmitter operative to send the timing of the at least one cell to the first communication network;
• and
• a receiver operative to receive from the first communication network transmission gaps for making cell measurements, wherein locations of the transmission gaps are determined based on the timing of the at least one cell in the second communication network.

An apparatus comprising:

• means for establishing communication with a first communication network;
• means for determining timing of at least one cell in a second communication network that is asynchronous with the first communication network;
• means for sending the timing of the at least one cell to the first communication network;
• and
• means for receiving from the first communication network transmission gaps for making cell measurements, wherein locations of the transmission gaps are determined based on the timing of the at least one cell in the second communication network.

A method of making cell measurements, comprising:

• determining timing of at least one Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) cell in a GSM network;
• sending the timing of the at least one GSM cell to a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) network;
• and
• receiving from the W-CDMA network at least one transmission gap pattern sequence for making cell measurements, wherein locations of transmission gaps in the at least one transmission gap pattern sequence are determined based on the timing of the at least one GSM cell.

A method of supporting cell measurements, comprising:

• receiving, at a first communication network from a terminal, timing of at least one cell in a second communication network that is asynchronous with the first communication network;
• allocating the terminal with transmission gaps determined based on the timing of the at least one cell in the second communication network;
• and
• sending the transmission gaps from the first communication network to the terminal.

An apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving, at a first communication network from a terminal, timing of at least one cell in a second communication network that is asynchronous with the first communication network;
• means for allocating the terminal with transmission gaps determined based on the timing of the at least one cell in the second communication network;
• and
• means for sending the transmission gaps from the first communication network to the terminal.