Method and apparatus for performing neighbor scans on a wide area network in a mobile communication device operating a personal area network

#The invention relates generally to the coexistence of a wide area network modem and a personal area network modem operating on similar frequencies within a mobile communication device, and more particularly to performing neighbor scans with the wide area network modem while the personal area network modem is supporting an active link.

#Mobile communication systems and devices are in widespread use in most metropolitan regions of the world. In many places, wireless communications service is even being deployed where there is no wired communication service, due to the lower cost of infrastructure equipment. As mobile communications technology has matured, various features and additional services have been added beyond simply circuit-switch radiotelephony. Data services have been added so that subscribers can access information over public wide area networks and wireless local area networks. Personal area networking has been implemented on many mobile communication devices to support wire-free connection to nearby accessories and components.

#Lately interest has been focused on increasing the information throughput to and from subscriber devices over wide area wireless mobile networks. One technology that has garnered interest for providing high quality, high capacity service is that specified by the IEEE 802.16e specifications, known as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, or “WiMax.” This wireless technology provides orthogonal frequency division multiple access channels in frequency bands including frequency bands very near frequencies used by other wireless networks, including personal area networks such as that used by IEEE 802.15.1, known more popularly by the tradename “Bluetooth.” While the WiMax technology offers an attractive format for communications and data service, it is expected that it will also be used in devices also using personal area network technology, which is entrenched in the marketplace.

#There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

#FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a mobile communication device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2 shows a logic circuit arrangement 200 for a mobile communication device to preempt transmission by a PAN modem 202 of the mobile communication device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

#While the specification concludes with claims defining features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

#Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic block diagram 100 of a mobile communication device 102, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A host processor 104 controls operation of the various components and subsystems of the mobile communication device. As shown here the host processor may be an abstraction of one or more microprocessors, digital signal processors and other such processor used routinely in the design of mobile communication devices. The host processor is coupled to a memory 106 which stores instruction code to be executed by the host processor. The memory may include read only memory (ROM) elements for long term storage, as well as executable memory for instantiating data structures and algorithms, and may include volatile and non-volatile components. To facilitate operation of the mobile communication device, a user interface 108 is provided, and includes, for example, a graphical display 110, a keypad and buttons 112, and other tactile, audible, and visual elements 114. To facilitate voice communication the mobile communication device includes an audio processor 116. The audio processor converts digital audio signals into analog audio signals to be played over a audio transducer 118 such as an earpiece or speaker. Likewise the audio processor converts sounds received at a microphone 120 into digital signals to be transmitted by the mobile communication device.

#To facilitate mobile communication the mobile communication device comprises a wide area network (WAN) modem 122. The WAN modem is a radio modem having a radio transceiver portion 124 and a processor portion 126. The processor portion prepares data to be sent for transmission, and processes data received over the transceiver for further processing by the host processor. The WAN modem communicates with a WAN base station 130 over an air interface or radio link 132. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the WAN modem may operate, for example, in accordance with IEEE specification 802.16e-2005, commonly referred to as the “WiMax” specification, and operate in the 2.5-2.6 GHz band.