Method and system for selecting neighboring sector scanning frequencies

A method for a mobile station, said method comprising:

• said mobile station receiving a prioritized neighbor list from a current sector in a wireless network, said prioritized neighbor list identifying a plurality of neighboring sectors in said wireless network and a respective priority for each neighboring sector;
• said mobile station identifying a plurality of first-priority sectors, a plurality of second-priority sectors, a plurality of third-priority sectors, and a plurality of fourth-priority sectors in said prioritized neighbor list;
• said mobile station determining a current-sector signal strength of said current sector;
• said mobile station selecting, based on at least said current-sector signal strength, a first scanning frequency for said first-priority sectors, a second scanning frequency for said second-priority sectors, a third scanning frequency for said third-priority sectors, and a fourth scanning frequency for said fourth-priority sectors, wherein said mobile station selecting, based on at least said current-sector signal strength, a first scanning frequency for said first-priority sectors, a second scanning frequency for said second-priority sectors, a third scanning frequency for said third-priority sectors, and a fourth scanning frequency for said fourth-priority sectors comprises said mobile station selecting said first, second, third, and fourth scanning frequencies such that said first scanning frequency is highest when said current-sector signal strength is at a first level, said second scanning frequency is highest when said current-sector signal strength is at a second level, said third scanning frequency is highest when said current-sector signal strength is at a third level, and said fourth scanning frequency is highest when said current-sector signal strength is at a fourth level;
• and
• said mobile station scanning for signals from said first-priority, second-priority, third-priority, and fourth-priority sectors at said first, second, third, and fourth scanning frequencies, respectively.

A mobile station, comprising:

• a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with a wireless network;
• data storage for storing a current-sector signal strength of a current sector in said wireless network and a neighbor list that identifies a plurality of sectors neighboring said current sector, said plurality of sectors including at least a first sector and a second sector;
• and
• a controller for controlling said transceiver, wherein said controller is configured to select a first scanning frequency and a second scanning frequency based on at least said current-sector signal strength, such that said first scanning frequency is higher than said second scanning frequency when said current-sector signal strength is at a high level and said second scanning frequency is higher than said first scanning frequency when said current-sector signal strength is at a low level, and cause said transceiver to scan for signals from said first and second sectors at said first and second scanning frequencies, respectively.