Method and apparatus to reduce uplink compressed mode monitoring in a communication device

A multi-mode 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 front end portion for receiving a communication signal from a neighboring channel;
• a back end portion coupled to the front end portion for 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 is interfering with the communication signal, wherein if an interference is determined the determining means directs the communication device to request from the communication system operation in uplink compressed mode.

A multi-mode 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 front end portion for receiving a communication signal from a neighboring channel;
• a back end portion coupled to the front end portion for 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 is interfering with the communication signal, wherein the determining means estimate an expected desense level of the receiver to determine a threshold, wherein if the signal strength is less than the threshold the determining means directs the communication device to monitor a signal strength of a new neighboring channel, whereupon if the signal strength of the new neighboring channel is about the same as the previous signal strength then an interference condition is indicated and uplink compressed mode is requested.