Abstract:
A method and apparatus is provided for reducing network synchronization time in a dual-mode access terminal. The dual-mode access terminal supports a first and a second network. The method includes determining if CDMA system time is available within the dual-mode access terminal. In response to determining that CDMA system time is available, the method includes forgoing acquiring the CDMA system time through a pilot acquisition procedure, reading the CDMA system time from a memory, and programming the CDMA system time into a system time unit. In response to determining that CDMA system time is not available, the method includes acquiring the CDMA system time through the pilot acquisition procedure and programming the CDMA system time into the system time unit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61,140,885 filed Dec. 25, 2008, whose inventor is Anthony Lee, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully and completely set forth herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates in general to wireless communication, and more particularly to an apparatus and method to improve synchronization timing in a dual-mode mobile unit. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    CDMA2000 is a third-generation (3G) wideband; spread spectrum radio interface system that uses the enhanced service of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology to facilitate data capabilities, such as internet and intranet access, multimedia applications, high-speed business transactions, and telemetry. The focus of CDMA2000, as is that of other third-generation systems, is on network economy and radio transmission design to overcome the limitations of finite radio spectrum availability. Several improvements have been added under the CDMA200 framework, and are continuing to be added. The CDMA2000 High Rate Packet Data Air Interface Specification, 3GPP2 C.S0024-A Version 2.0, maintained by the 3 rd  Generation Partnership Project (3GPP2) contains many of the CDMA specifications, and is herein incorporated by reference for all intents and purposes. CDMA access terminals obtain synchronization with access networks by performing the steps illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0004]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a state diagram illustrating the initialization sequence for a related art CDMA access terminal is shown. At an initial state  104 , such as power-on, the access terminal enters an inactive state  106 . In the inactive state  106 , the access terminal waits for the protocol to receive an activate  108  command. If the protocol receives an activate  108  command in the inactive state  106 , the access terminal transitions from the inactive state  106  to a network determination state  112 . If the protocol receives the activate  108  command in any other state, the access terminal ignores the activate  108  command. 
         [0005]    In the network determination state  112 , the access terminal selects a CDMA channel. The access terminal selects a channel from a list of preferred networks and once the access terminal selects a network  114 , the network determination state  112  transitions to a pilot acquisition state  116 . 
         [0006]    In the pilot acquisition state  116 , the access terminal acquires the forward pilot channel of the selected CDMA channel and acquires CDMA system time information using a CDMA system time parameter the CDMA access network transmits to the access terminal Upon entering the pilot acquisition state  116 , the access terminal tunes to the selected CDMA channel and searches for the pilot. If a pilot timer expires  118 , the pilot acquisition state  116  transitions back to the network determination state  112 . If the access terminal acquires the pilot  122 , the access terminal transitions to a synchronization state  126 . 
         [0007]    In the synchronization state  126 , the access terminal completes timing synchronization. If a synchronization message is OK  132 , the synchronization state  126  transitions back to the inactive state  106 . Once back in the inactive state  106 , the air link management protocol can continue to monitor the control channel. If instead the access terminal does not receive a synchronization message, or if the access terminal&#39;s revision number is not within the range the synchronization message defines, the access terminal transitions  128  back to the network determination state  112 . 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  notes that deactivate triggered transitions are not shown. The access network may transmit a deactivate command to the access terminal. If the protocol receives a deactivate command in the inactive state  106 , the access terminal ignores the deactivate command. If the protocol receives a deactivate command in any other state  112 / 116 / 126 , the access terminal transitions to the inactive state  106 . 
         [0009]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a flowchart illustrating a pilot acquisition procedure within the pilot acquisition state  116  of  FIG. 1  is shown. Flow begins at block  204 . 
         [0010]    At block  204 , the access terminal enters the pilot acquisition state  116  from the network determination state  112 , and begins a pilot timer. The access terminal enters the pilot acquisition state  116  in response to the access terminal selecting a network  114 . The access terminal uses the pilot timer to exit the pilot acquisition state  116  and transition back to the network determination state  112  if the access terminal cannot acquire the pilot within a specified time period. Flow proceeds to block  206 . 
         [0011]    At block  206 , the access terminal acquires the forward pilot channel of the selected CDMA channel. The forward pilot channel is the portion of the forward channel that carries the pilot. The pilot is required in order to synchronize the access terminal with a CDMA access network. Flow proceeds to block  208 . 
         [0012]    At block  208 , the access terminal selects a CDMA channel to search. Flow proceeds to block  212 . 
         [0013]    At block  212 , the access terminal searches the frequencies within the selected channel from blocks  208  or  218  in order to find the pilot. Flow proceeds to decision block  214 . 
         [0014]    At decision block  214 , the access terminal determines if a pilot is found at the frequencies searched in block  212  at the CDMA channel selected in blocks  208  or  218 . If the pilot is found, then flow proceeds to block  224 . If the pilot is not found, then flow proceeds to decision block  216 . 
         [0015]    At decision block  216 , the pilot has not been found and the access terminal checks if the pilot timer has expired  118 . If the pilot timer has not expired, then flow proceeds to block  218 . If the pilot timer has expired  118 , then flow proceeds to block  222 . 
         [0016]    At block  218 , the access terminal selects a new CDMA channel to search. Flow proceeds to block  212 . 
         [0017]    At block  222 , the pilot timer has expired  118 , and the pilot acquisition state  116  transitions back to the network determination state  112 . Flow ends at block  222 . 
         [0018]    At block  224 , the access terminal acquires CDMA system time from the CDMA access network. The access terminal must acquire CDMA system time before it can transfer packet data with the CDMA access network. Flow proceeds to block  226 . 
         [0019]    At block  226 , the access terminal acquires a pilot  122 , and the access terminal enters the synchronization state  126 . Flow ends at block  226 . 
         [0020]    As can be seen in the steps of  FIG. 2 , the scanning process to acquire CDMA system time can require a significant number of frequency and channel iterations to find a pilot. If acquiring CDMA system time requires a large number of iterations, the time after initialization before the access terminal can transmit packet data with the CDMA access network can be long. Each iteration to find a pilot additionally requires powering the RF section of the access terminal, which consumes access terminal power. Therefore, what is needed is a means for access terminals to reduce access terminal power and synchronization time with CDMA access networks. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0021]    The present invention provides a method for reducing network synchronization time in a dual mode access terminal. The dual-mode access terminal supports a first and a second network. The method includes determining if CDMA system time is available within the dual-mode access terminal. In response to determining that CDMA system time is available, the method includes forgoing acquiring the CDMA system time through a pilot acquisition procedure, reading the CDMA system time from a memory, and programming the CDMA system time into a system time unit. In response to determining that CDMA system time is not available, the method includes acquiring the CDMA system time through the pilot acquisition procedure and programming the CDMA system time into the system time unit. 
         [0022]    In one aspect, the present invention provides a dual-mode access terminal with reduced network synchronization time. The dual-mode access terminal supports a first and a second network. The dual-mode access terminal includes a memory and a system time unit, coupled to the memory. The dual-mode access terminal determines if CDMA system time is available within the dual-mode access terminal. If CDMA system time is available within the dual-mode access terminal, the dual-mode access terminal forgoes acquiring the CDMA system time through the pilot acquisition procedure, reads the CDMA system time from the memory, and programs the CDMA system time into the system time unit. If CDMA system time is not available within the dual-mode access terminal, the dual-mode access terminal acquires the CDMA system time through the pilot acquisition procedure and programs the CDMA system time into the system time unit. 
         [0023]    An advantage of the present invention is that it provides reduced network synchronization time for CDMA networks in dual-mode access terminals by skipping the CDMA system time acquisition procedure within the pilot acquisition state. Skipping the CDMA system time acquisition procedure allows the dual-mode access terminal data to rapidly receive data following power-up or loss of access to the CDMA network. Conventional access terminals must proceed through the CDMA system time acquisition procedure in the pilot acquisition state, which involves repetitive CDMA channel and frequency searching. The present invention achieves the network synchronization state sooner, and thereby allows data transfer between the dual-mode access terminal and the network with less latency by avoiding the repetitive channel and frequency searching. 
         [0024]    Another advantage of the present invention is the dual-mode access terminal consumes less power than conventional access terminals. Conventional access terminals obtain CDMA system time in the pilot acquisition state by repeatedly searching CDMA channels and frequencies. The searching process requires powering the RF transceiver in the access terminal. The RF transceiver consumes a large amount of power compared to other circuitry in the access terminal. The present invention bypasses the searching procedure in the pilot acquisition state, and thereby saves power. Additionally, the present invention enters the synchronization state before conventional access terminals enter the synchronization state since the dual-mode access terminal requires the CDMA system time to enter the synchronization state. Therefore, the dual-mode access terminal of the present invention consumes less power than conventional access terminals while acquiring CDMA system time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a state diagram illustrating the initialization sequence for a related art CDMA access terminal. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a pilot acquisition procedure within the pilot acquisition state of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a dual-mode access terminal system with CDMA and E-UTRAN networks of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a dual-mode access terminal of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a receiver portion of the CDMA baseband modem of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  is a state diagram illustrating the initialization sequence for the dual-mode access terminal of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart of the CDMA system time acquisition procedure for the dual-mode access terminal of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    CDMA2000 includes both High Rate Packet Data (HRPD) as well as 1 times radio transmission technology (1xRTT) networks. It should therefore be understood that in the context of the present invention, CDMA refers to both HRPD as well as 1xRTT networks. 
         [0033]    In addition to CDMA2000 (hereinafter referred to as CDMA), another wireless system is gaining acceptance. E-UTRAN is a wireless data extension of GSM technology. GSM is the Global System for Mobile communications, the most popular standard for mobile telephony in the world. E-UTRAN network stands for “Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network”, and is a work item on the 3GPP (3 rd  generation partnership program) Long Term Evolution. The Air-Interface Evolution will develop a framework for a high-data-rate, low-latency and packet-optimized radio-access technology. Trials started in 2008, products are expected to be commercially available in 2009 and commercial deployments will begin in 2010. The 3GPP Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Radio Access Control (RRC) Protocol Specification (Release 8), maintained by 3GPP contains many of the E-UTRAN network specifications, which is herein incorporated by reference for all intents and purposes. 
         [0034]    With the rapid development and momentum of E-UTRAN network technology, there is a desire to offer E-UTRAN compatibility in mobile devices also containing existing CDMA technology. This would allow mobile users to selectively access both types of wireless networks using the same mobile device. For clarity, mobile devices that can act as CDMA access terminals and as E-UTRAN UE (user equipment) devices are referred to as “dual-mode access terminals” from this point onward. A specification has been developed by the 3 rd  Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) to form a compatibility standard for facilitating CDMA2000 High Rate Packet Data (HRPD) interworking with E-UTRAN: E-UTRAN network—cdma2000 Connectivity and Interworking: Air Interface Specification Revision 0 3GPP2 C.P0087-0, Version 0.70, Jan. 29, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
         [0035]    CDMA access terminals acquire system time and enter the synchronization state as previously discussed with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Early (pre-production) dual-mode CDMA/E-UTRAN access terminals were dual receiver devices. Dual receiver dual-mode access terminals can simultaneously receive data from both a CDMA and an E-UTRAN network at the same time, but only transmit on either CDMA or E-UTRAN network at any given time. However, dual receiver dual-mode access terminals are expected to be too expensive for mass deployment. Therefore, single receiver dual-mode access terminals will likely be the dominant form of dual-mode access terminals. Single receiver dual-mode access terminals can only transmit and receive data to either a CDMA or an E-UTRAN network, but not both, at the same time. Single and dual receiver dual-mode access terminals must use the method of  FIGS. 1 and 2  to synchronize with a network if the only network they can access is a CDMA network. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a block diagram of a dual-mode access terminal system  300  with CDMA and E-UTRAN networks of the present invention is shown. The dual-mode access terminal  304  is a mobile device that can communicate with either a CDMA network  306  or a non-CDMA network, as long as the dual-mode access terminal  304  can obtain CDMA system time from the non-CDMA network prior to the pilot acquisition state  116 , and thereby avoid acquiring CDMA system time in the pilot acquisition state  116 . In a preferred embodiment, the non-CDMA network comprises an E-UTAN network  308 . The dual-mode access terminal  304  illustrated in  FIG. 3  is a single receiver device, and therefore can only communicate with one of the two networks  306 ,  308  at the same time. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a block diagram of a dual mode access terminal  304  of the present invention is shown. An RF transceiver  406  transmits and receives RF signals over air interface  404  to/from a CDMA access network and/or an E-UTRAN base station. The RF signals contain transmit data, receive data, synchronization data, and many forms of control and status information. The RF transceiver  406  includes analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analog converters, and various timing circuits to synchronize with the air interface  404 . 
         [0038]    The RF transceiver  406  is coupled to a modem for each of the radio technologies the dual-mode access terminal  304  supports. In a preferred embodiment, the first radio technology the dual-mode access terminal  304  supports is CDMA. A CDMA baseband modem  408  is a device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. The CDMA baseband modem  408  produces a signal that the RF transceiver  406  transmits using spread spectrum technology and the CDMA network  306  decodes to reproduce the original digital data. 
         [0039]    The second radio technology the dual-mode access terminal  304  supports is a non-CDMA radio technology. In a preferred embodiment, the non-CDMA radio technology is E-UTRAN. An E-UTRAN baseband modem  412  provides similar types of service as the CDMA baseband modem  408 . Both the CDMA baseband modem  408  and the E-UTRAN baseband modem  412  provide most of the support for the lower level protocols the CDMA and E-UTRAN radio technologies require. It should be understood that the invention encompasses other non-CDMA radio technologies in addition to E-UTRAN; as long as they can provide a CDMA system time parameter to the dual-mode access terminal  304  faster than a CDMA network  306  can provide the CDMA system time using the pilot acquisition process of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Moreover, it should be also understood that the invention encompasses two radio technologies which a first one technology network can provide a CDMA system time parameter faster than a second technology network to the dual-mode access terminal  304 . Therefore in a preferred embodiment, the access terminal  304  may comprise two modems corresponding to these first and second network utilizing two different technologies. 
         [0040]    The CDMA baseband modem  408  and E-UTRAN baseband modem  412  are coupled to an application processor  422 . The application processor  422  executes the upper layer protocols for the CDMA and non-CDMA technologies, and controls the operation of the CDMA baseband modem  408  and the E-UTAN baseband modem  412 . 
         [0041]    The application processor  422  is coupled to mobile accessories  424 . Mobile accessories  424  provide user interface and other functions for the dual-mode access terminal  304 . In one embodiment, the mobile accessories include, but are not limited to, a display, a keypad, a USB port, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, the dual-mode access terminal  304  stores data used by both the CDMA baseband modem  408  and E-UTRAN baseband modem  412  in a shared memory. In one embodiment, the shared memory is a dual port memory  414 . The dual port memory  414  has independent data ports connected to each of the CDMA baseband modem  408  and E-UTRAN baseband modem  412 , respectively. In other embodiments, other shared memory arrangements are possible, as long as both modems  408 / 412  can access the memory. 
         [0043]    The dual port memory  414  stores the CDMA system time  416 . CDMA system time  416  was previously described with reference to  FIG. 2 , where the CDMA baseband modem  408  acquired the CDMA system time  416  as part of the CDMA pilot acquisition state  116 . The E-UTRAN baseband modem  412  also acquires the CDMA system time  416 , as described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0044]    The CDMA baseband modem  408  is interconnected to the E-UTRAN baseband modem  412  by interrupt control  418 . Interrupt control  418  provides bidirectional interrupts from each modem  408 / 412  to the other modem  408 / 412 . In one embodiment, the E-UTRAN baseband modem  412  notifies the CDMA baseband modem  408  that the E-UTRAN baseband modem  412  has written the CDMA system time  416  to the dual port memory  414 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a block diagram of a receiver portion of the CDMA baseband modem  408  of the present invention is shown. The receiver portion of the CDMA baseband modem  408  includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter  504 , which receives signals from an RF receiver in the RF transceiver  406  for use by baseband filters  506 . 
         [0046]    Baseband filters  506  eliminate extraneous frequencies and noise in order for the CDMA baseband modem  408  to reliably process received data. The baseband filters  506  transfer filtered receive data to a channel decoder  512 . The channel decoder  512  obtains data for the specific channel the CDMA baseband modem  408  is receiving data from, based on the filtered data from the baseband filters  506 . 
         [0047]    Baseband filters  506  also provide filtered data to a searcher circuit  508 . The searcher circuit  508  searches CDMA channels and frequencies in the pilot acquisition state  116  in order to receive the CDMA pilot and acquire CDMA system time  416  from the CDMA network  306 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Conventional access terminals do not utilize the present invention, and must obtain the CDMA system time  416  by using the searcher circuit  508 . The present invention bypasses the searcher circuit  508  and the pilot acquisition state  116  process to obtain the CDMA system time  416 , since the dual-mode access terminal  304  acquires the CDMA system time  416  through the E-UTRAN network  308 . This process is described in more detail with respect to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0048]    The channel decoder  512  is coupled to a system time unit  514 . The CDMA baseband modem  408  programs the system time unit  514  with the CDMA system time  416 , in order to enter the synchronization states  126  of  FIGS. 1 and 626  of  FIG. 6 . If the dual-mode access terminal  304  acquires the CDMA system time  416  from the CDMA network  306 , the method illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is used to obtain the CDMA system time  416  from the CDMA network  306 . If the dual-mode access terminal  304  acquires the CDMA system time  416  from the E-UTRAN network  308 , the method illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  is used to obtain the CDMA system time  416  from the E-UTRAN network  308 . 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a state diagram illustrating the initialization sequence for the dual-mode access terminal  304  of the present invention is shown. 
         [0050]    At an initial state  604 , such as power-on, the dual-mode access terminal  304  enters an inactive state  606 . In the inactive state  606 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  waits for the protocol to receive an activate command  608 . If the protocol receives an activate command  608  in the inactive state  606 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  transitions to a network determination state  612 . If the protocol receives the activate command  608  in any other state  612 / 616 / 626 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  ignores the activate command  608 . 
         [0051]    In the network determination state  612 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  selects a CDMA channel from a list of preferred networks. Once the dual-mode access terminal  304  selects a network  614 , the network determination state  612  transitions to a pilot acquisition state  616 . Additionally, and different from the initialization sequence shown in  FIG. 1 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  transitions from the pilot acquisition state  616  to a synchronization state  626  if the dual-mode access terminal  304  receives the CDMA system time from the E-UTRAN network  624 . The E-UTRAN network  308  provides CDMA system time  416  to the dual-mode access terminal  304  as shown in blocks  714 ,  716 ,  722 , and  724  of  FIG. 7 . Because the E-UTRAN network protocol does not require the dual-mode access terminal  304  to search channels and frequencies for the pilot, it is able to provide the CDMA system time  416  to the dual-mode access terminal  304  much faster than a CDMA network  306  can. Therefore, the dual-mode access terminal  304  can transition from the network determination state  612  to the synchronization state  626  much faster and using less power than a conventional access terminal through CDMA network  306 . 
         [0052]    In the pilot acquisition state  616 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  acquires the forward pilot channel of the selected CDMA channel. Upon entering the pilot acquisition state  616 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  tunes to the selected CDMA channel and searches for the pilot. If a pilot timer expires  618 , the pilot acquisition state  616  transitions back to the network determination state  612 . If the dual-mode access terminal  304  acquires the pilot  622 , the pilot acquisition state  616  transitions to the synchronization state  626 . 
         [0053]    In the synchronization state  626 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  completes timing synchronization. If a synchronization message is OK  632 , the synchronization state  626  transitions back to the inactive state  606 . Once back in the inactive state  106 , the air link management protocol can continue to monitor the control channel. If instead the dual-mode access terminal  304  does not receive a synchronization message, or if the dual-mode access terminal&#39;s  304  revision number is not in the synchronization message range, the dual-mode access terminal  304  transitions  628  back to the network determination state  612 . 
         [0054]    In an alternate embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  acquires the CDMA system time  416  in the network determination state  612 , as previously stated. However, instead of transitioning directly from the network determination state  612  to the synchronization state  626 , the network determination state  612  transitions to the pilot acquisition state  616 . Once in the pilot acquisition state  616 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  determines if the CDMA system time  416  is already available. If the CDMA system time  416  is already available, then the pilot acquisition state  616  transitions immediately to the synchronization state  626 , and skips the search procedure the searcher  508  performs, as described with reference to  FIG. 2 . If the CDMA system time  416  is not available, then the pilot acquisition state  616  executes the search procedure the searcher  508  performs, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Once the searcher  508  acquires the CDMA system time  416 , the pilot acquisition state  616  transitions to the synchronization state  626 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 6  notes that deactivate triggered transitions are not shown. The CDMA network  306  may transmit a deactivate command to the dual-mode access terminal  304 . If the protocol receives a deactivate command in the inactive state  606 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  ignores the deactivate command. If the protocol receives a deactivate command in any other state, the dual-mode access terminal  304  transitions to the inactive state  606 . 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a flowchart of the CDMA system time  416  acquisition procedure for the dual-mode access terminal  304  of the present invention is shown. Flow begins at blocks  704  and  706 . 
         [0057]    At block  704 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  powers up into the inactive state  606 . Following power-up, the dual-mode access terminal  304  must program the CDMA baseband modem  408  with the CDMA system time  416  before the CDMA portion of the dual-mode access terminal  304  can synchronize with the CDMA network  306 . In a preferred embodiment, the dual-mode access terminal  304  powers up with E-UTRAN  308  as the preferred network. Flow proceeds to block  708 . 
         [0058]    At block  706 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  loses reception of the CDMA network  306 , and enters the inactive state  606 . Following loss of reception to the CDMA network  306 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  programs the CDMA baseband modem  408  with the CDMA system time  416  before the CDMA portion of the dual-mode access terminal  304  can synchronize with the CDMA network  306 . Flow proceeds to block  708 . 
         [0059]    At block  708 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  receives an activate command  608 , and proceeds from the inactive state  606  to the network determination state  612 . In the network determination state  612 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  begins the process to synchronize, if after power-on, or re-synchronize, if after losing CDMA reception, to the CDMA network  306 . Flow proceeds to decision block  712 . 
         [0060]    At decision block  712 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  determines whether the CDMA network  306  or E-UTRAN network  308  is available. If neither network  306 ,  308  is available, then flow proceeds to block  712  until a network  306 ,  308  is available. If only the CDMA network  306  is available, then flow proceeds to decision block  718 . If both the E-UTRAN network  308  and CDMA network  306  is available, or only the E-UTRAN network  308  is available, then flow proceeds to block  714 . 
         [0061]    At block  714 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  successfully decodes the control channel and enters the E-UTRAN RRC_Idle state. The earlier referenced 3GPP Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) Radio Access Control (RRC) Protocol Specification (Release 8), maintained by 3GPP describes the E-UTRAN RRC_Idle state. Flow proceeds to block  716 . 
         [0062]    At block  716 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  receives SystemInformationBlock8 information from the E-UTRAN network  308 . The SystemInformationBlock8 contains information about CDMA frequencies and CDMA neighboring cells relevant for cell re-selection. SystemInformationBlock8 includes parameters such as band class, CDMA channel number (frequency), search window size, PN_offset, and the CDMA system time  416 . Flow proceeds to decision block  718 . 
         [0063]    At decision block  718 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  determines if the CDMA system time  416  is available in the dual-mode access terminal  304 . If the CDMA system time  416  is available in the dual-mode access terminal  304 , then flow proceeds to block  722 . If the CDMA system time  416  is not available in the dual-mode access terminal  304 , then flow proceeds to block  728 . 
         [0064]    At block  722 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  reads SystemInformationBlock8 information, including the CDMA system time  416 , from the dual-port memory  414 . Flow proceeds to block  724 . 
         [0065]    At block  724 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  programs the CDMA system time unit  514  with the CDMA system time  416  read from the dual-port memory  414  in block  722 . At this point, the CDMA system time unit  514  is programmed with the CDMA system time  416  from the E-UTRAN network  308 , without requiring the dual-mode access terminal  304  to acquire the CDMA system time  416  using the slower procedure in the pilot acquisition state  116  of  FIG. 2  from the CDMA network  306 . Flow proceeds to block  726 . 
         [0066]    At block  728 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  enters the pilot acquisition state  616 , in preparation for initiating the CDMA system time  416  acquisition process in the pilot acquisition state  616 . Flow proceeds to block  732 . 
         [0067]    At block  732 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  proceeds through the remaining steps of the pilot acquisition process, including acquiring the CDMA system time  416 . The pilot acquisition procedure for acquiring the CDMA system time  416  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Flow proceeds to block  726 . 
         [0068]    At block  726 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  enters the synchronization state  626 . Once in the synchronization state  626 , the dual-mode access terminal  304  is ready to communicate with the CDMA network  306 . Flow ends at block  726 . 
         [0069]    Finally, those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiments as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.