Abstract:
An embodiment of the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for selecting a network in an electronic device supporting multiple communications methods by considering channel environment related indicators. The method for determining a network can comprise the following steps of: checking data transmission control information on networks; and determining at least one network to be accessed among the networks based on the data transmission control information on the networks.

Description:
BACKGROUND ART 
       [0001]    Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an electronic device and, more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for selecting a wireless network in an electronic device. 
         [0002]    With the development of communication technologies and semiconductor technologies, portable electronic devices can support a plurality of communication schemes. For example, the portable electronic device may access one or more communication networks of a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network, an Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Wideband Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) network, a High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) network, an Evolved HSPA (HSPA+) network, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). 
         [0003]    When the portable electronic device supports a plurality of communication schemes, the portable electronic device may select a serving network by using a fixed priority. For example, the portable electronic device may select the serving network to access based on a max data rate supportable by communication networks. That is, when selecting the serving network, the portable electronic device does not consider an actual wireless environment of an area in which the portable electronic device is located. Here, the wireless environment may include one or more of a Signal to Interface and Noise Ratio (SINR) and network load. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0004]    As described above, since the portable electronic device selects the serving network without regard to an actual wireless environment, the problem in which a maximum data transmission rate cannot be guaranteed in the actual wireless environment may occur. 
         [0005]    An embodiment of the present disclosure may provide an apparatus and a method for selecting a serving network in consideration of channel environment-related indexes by an electronic device which supports a plurality of communication schemes. 
         [0006]    An embodiment of the present disclosure may provide an apparatus and a method for selecting a serving network in consideration of data transmission rates by an electronic device which supports a plurality of communication schemes. 
         [0007]    An embodiment of the present disclosure may provide an apparatus and a method for selecting a serving network in consideration of data transmission control information of each network by an electronic device which supports a plurality of communication schemes. 
         [0008]    In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes: identifying data transmission control information of networks; and determining one or more networks to be accessed among the networks based on the data transmission control information of the networks. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes: a plurality of communication systems; and a processor configured to identify data transmission control information of networks through the communication systems and determines one or more networks to be accessed among the networks based on the data transmission control information of the networks. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a process in which a BS determines data transmission control information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a process in which an electronic device determines a serving network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a process in which an electronic device determines a serving network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  illustrates a process in which an electronic device determines a serving network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates a process in which an electronic device determines a serving network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Further, in the following description of the present disclosure, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present disclosure rather unclear. The terms which will be described below are terms defined in consideration of the functions in embodiments of the present disclosure, and may vary depending on users, intentions of operators, or customs. Therefore, the definitions of the terms should be made based on the contents throughout the specification. 
         [0018]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure describe a technology for selecting a serving network in consideration of a channel environment-related index. 
         [0019]    In the following description, the channel environment-related index may include data transmission control information of each network or the data transmission control information and channel environment information. Here, the channel environment information may indicate channel information such as a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), a signal to noise ratio (Ec/Io), and a Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) which the electronic device can measure for communication with the network. The data transmission control information may indicate parameter information, which is associated with a data transmission rate determined by a Base Station (BS) according to the channel environment information, such as a Modulation and Coding Selection (MCS) level, a Resource Block (RB), Carrier Aggregation (CA), a band width, and network load. 
         [0020]    In the following description, the electronic device may be a combination of one or more of various devices such as a portable electronic device, a portable terminal, a mobile terminal, a mobile pad, a media player, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a smart phone, a netbook, a television, a Mobile Internet Device (MID), an Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), a Tablet Personal Computer (PC), a navigation unit, a smart TV, a wrist watch, a digital camera, and an MP3, which support a plurality of communication schemes. 
         [0021]    In the following description, the BS may include a wireless station such as a mobile communication BS, an Access Point (AP), and a femto BS, which support a communication service of the electronic device by using radio resources. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the wireless communication system may include a first BS  100  of a first communication scheme and a second BS  110  of a second communication scheme. The first BS  100  and the second BS  110  may support a link adaptation scheme which can adaptively change a data transmission rate. For example, the first BS  100  and the second BS  110  may support an Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC) scheme which can adaptively change the data transmission rate in accordance with a channel environment by changing a modulation and coding format according to the channel environment. For example, the first BS  110  and the second BS  120  may select an MCS level suitable for the channel environment among preset Modulation and Coding Selection (MCS) levels and provide a data service. 
         [0024]    When the electronic device  120  is located in an area where a service area  102  of the first BS  100  and a service area  112  of the second BS  110  overlap each other, the electronic device  120  may compare channel environment-related indexes of the first BS  100  and the second BS  110  and select a serving network. For example, when it is assumed that the first BS  100  supports an LTE network and allocates MCS level  15  to the electronic device  120 , the electronic device  120  may support a data transmission rate of about 31 Mbps (31704 Mbps) based on Table 1 below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Modula- 
                   
                 Redun- 
                   
               
               
                 MCS 
                 tion 
                 TBS 
                 dancy 
                 T-PUT 
               
               
                 Index 
                 Order 
                 Index 
                 Version 
                 (Kbps) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 2 
                 0 
                 0 
                 3112 
               
               
                 1 
                 2 
                 1 
                 0 
                 4008 
               
               
                 2 
                 2 
                 2 
                 0 
                 4968 
               
               
                 3 
                 2 
                 3 
                 0 
                 6456 
               
               
                 4 
                 2 
                 4 
                 0 
                 7992 
               
               
                 5 
                 2 
                 5 
                 0 
                 9528 
               
               
                 6 
                 2 
                 6 
                 0 
                 11448 
               
               
                 7 
                 2 
                 7 
                 0 
                 13536 
               
               
                 8 
                 2 
                 8 
                 0 
                 15264 
               
               
                 9 
                 2 
                 9 
                 0 
                 17568 
               
               
                 10 
                 2 
                 10 
                 0 
                 19080 
               
               
                 11 
                 4 
                 10 
                 0 
                 19080 
               
               
                 12 
                 4 
                 11 
                 0 
                 22152 
               
               
                 13 
                 4 
                 12 
                 0 
                 25456 
               
               
                 14 
                 4 
                 13 
                 0 
                 28336 
               
               
                 15 
                 4 
                 14 
                 0 
                 31704 
               
               
                 16 
                 4 
                 15 
                 0 
                 34008 
               
               
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
               
               
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
               
               
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0025]    When it is assumed that the second BS  110  supports a WLAN network and allocates MCS level  10  to the electronic device  120 , the electronic device  120  may support a data transmission rate of 39 Mbps based on Table 2 below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Data RAte Mb/s 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Modu- 
                   
                 20 MHz 
                 40 MHz 
               
               
                   
                 la- 
                   
                 channel 
                 channel 
               
             
          
           
               
                 MCS 
                 Spatial 
                 tion 
                 Coding 
                 800 ns 
                 400 ns 
                 800 ns 
                 400 ns 
               
               
                 Index 
                 Streams 
                 Type 
                 Rate 
                 GI 
                 GI 
                 GI 
                 GI 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 1 
                 BPSK 
                 1/2 
                 6.50 
                 7.20 
                 13.50 
                 15.00 
               
               
                 1 
                 1 
                 QPSK 
                 1/2 
                 13.00 
                 14.40 
                 27.00 
                 30.00 
               
               
                 2 
                 1 
                 QPSK 
                 3/4 
                 19.50 
                 21.70 
                 40.50 
                 45.00 
               
               
                 3 
                 1 
                 16 
                 1/2 
                 26.00 
                 28.90 
                 54.00 
                 60.00 
               
               
                   
                   
                 QAM 
               
               
                 4 
                 1 
                 16 
                 3/4 
                 39.00 
                 43.30 
                 81.00 
                 90.00 
               
               
                   
                   
                 QAM 
               
               
                 5 
                 1 
                 64 
                 2/3 
                 52.00 
                 57.80 
                 108.00 
                 120.00 
               
               
                   
                   
                 QAM 
               
               
                 6 
                 1 
                 64 
                 3/4 
                 58.50 
                 65.00 
                 121.50 
                 135.00 
               
               
                   
                   
                 QAM 
               
               
                 7 
                 1 
                 64 
                 5/6 
                 65.00 
                 72.20 
                 135.00 
                 150.00 
               
               
                   
                   
                 QAM 
               
               
                 8 
                 2 
                 BPSK 
                 1/2 
                 13.00 
                 14.40 
                 27.00 
                 30.00 
               
               
                 9 
                 2 
                 QPSK 
                 1/2 
                 26.00 
                 28.90 
                 54.00 
                 60.00 
               
               
                 10  
                 2 
                 QPSK 
                 3/4 
                 39.00 
                 43.30 
                 81.00 
                 90.00 
               
               
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
               
               
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
               
               
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
                 . 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0026]    The electronic device  120  may select the second BS  110  as the serving network in consideration of the MCS levels with the first BS  100  and the second BS  110 . The electronic device  120  may perform network switching to the second BS  110 . 
         [0027]    In another example, when it is assumed that the first BS  100  supports the LTE network and allocates MCS level  15  to the electronic device  120 , the electronic device  120  may support a data transmission rate of about 31 Mbps (31704 Mbps) based on Table 1. When it is assumed that the second BS  110  supports the WLAN network and allocates MCS level  9  to the electronic device  120 , the electronic device  120  may support a data transmission rate of 36 Mbps based on Table 2. The electronic device  120  may select the first BS  100  as the serving network in consideration of the MCS levels with the first BS  100  and the second BS  100 . 
         [0028]    In the above described embodiment, the electronic device  120  may select one of the BSs  100  and  110  which support different networks as the serving BS in consideration of the channel environment-related index. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, when one BS supports a plurality of communication networks, the electronic device  120  may select the serving network in consideration of channel environment-related indexes of the networks, which the electronic device  120  can access through one BS. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an electronic device  200  may include a memory  210 , a processor unit  220 , communication systems  230 - 1  to  230 -N, an audio processing unit  240 , an input/output control unit  250 , a display unit  260 , an input device  270 . The number of memories  210  may be plural. 
         [0032]    The memory  210  may include a program storage unit  211  that stores one or more programs to control an operation of the electronic device  200  and a data storage unit  212  that stores data generated by driving of the electronic device  200 . 
         [0033]    The data storage unit  212  may store an MCS level table for each network which the electronic device  200  can access, as illustrated in Table 1 and Table 2. 
         [0034]    The program storage unit  211  may include a Graphic User Interface (GUI) program  213 , a communication control program  214 , and at least one application program. Programs included in the program storage unit may be expressed as an instruction set which is a set of instructions. 
         [0035]    The GUI program  2123  may include at least one software component for graphically providing a user interface to the display unit  260 . The GUI program  213  may control the display unit  260  to display application program information driven by the processor  222 . 
         [0036]    The communication control program  214  may include at least one software component for comparing channel environment-related indexes of networks which the electronic device  200  can access and selecting the serving network. For example, the communication control program  214  may transmit channel environment information to the accessible network, receive data transmission control information from the corresponding network, and select the serving network by using the received data transmission control information. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the communication control program  214  may select the serving network by comparing the MCS levels of the first BS  100  and the second BS  110 . In another example, the communication control program  214  may select the serving network by comparing data transmission control information and channel environment information of the accessible networks. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the communication control program  214  may select the serving network by comparing the MCS levels and CQI of the first BS  100  and the second BS  110 . 
         [0037]    The application program  215  may include a software component for at least one application program installed in the electronic device  200 . 
         [0038]    The processor unit  220  may include a memory interface  221 , at least one processor  222 , and a peripheral device interface  223 . One or more of the memory interface  221 , at least one processor  222 , and the peripheral device interface  223  included in the processor unit  220  may be integrated into at least one integrated circuit or may be implemented as separate elements. 
         [0039]    The memory interface  221  may control access of elements such as the processor  222  or the peripheral device interface  223  to the memory  210 . 
         [0040]    The peripheral device interface  223  may control a connection between an input/output peripheral device of the electronic device  200  and the processor  222  and a connection between the input/output peripheral device of the electronic device  100  and the memory interface  221 . 
         [0041]    The processor  222  may control the electronic device  200  to provide various multimedia services by using at least one program. 
         [0042]    The processor  222  may make a control to execute at least one program stored in the memory  210  and to provide a service corresponding to the corresponding program. The processor  222  may execute the communication control program  214  stored in the program storage unit  211  and compare channel environment-related indexes of the networks, which the electronic device  200  can access, to select the serving network. For example, the processor  222  may transmit channel environment information to the accessible network, receive data transmission control information from the corresponding network, and select the serving network by using the received data transmission control information. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the processor  220  may select the serving network by comparing the MCS levels of the first BS  100  and the second BS  110 . In another example, the processor  220  may select the serving network by comparing data transmission control information and channel environment information of the accessible networks. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the processor  220  may select the serving network by comparing the MCS levels and CQI of the first BS  100  and the second BS  110 . 
         [0043]    The communication systems  230 - 1  to  230 -N may perform at least one communication function of voice communication and data communication. The communication systems  230 - 1  to  230 -N may perform communication functions according to different communication schemes among one or more communication networks of a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network, an Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Wideband Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA) network, a High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) network, an Evolved HSPA (HSPA+) network, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, and a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). 
         [0044]    The audio processing unit  240  may provide an audio interface between the user and the electronic device  100  through a speaker  241  and a microphone  242 . 
         [0045]    The input/output control unit  250  may provide an interface between an input/output device such as the display unit  260  and the input device  270 , and the processor  222 . 
         [0046]    The display unit  260  may display status information of the electronic device  200 , characters input by the user, a moving picture, and/or a still picture. For example, the display unit  260  may display application program information executed by the processor  222 . 
         [0047]    The input device  270  may provide input data generated by user&#39;s selection to the processor  222  through the input/output control unit  250 . For example, the input device  270  may include one or more of a keypad including at least one hardware button and a touch panel for detecting touch information. 
         [0048]    When the electronic device  200  receives data transmission control information from the BS, the BS may perform an operation illustrated in  FIG. 3  to determine the data transmission control information. 
         [0049]      FIG. 3  illustrates a process in which the BS determines data transmission control information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the BS may identify channel environment information of the electronic device located in a service area in step  301 . For example, the BS may receive the channel environment information from the electronic device located in the service area. 
         [0051]    The BS may determine data transmission control information of the electronic device in consideration of one or more of the channel environment information of the electronic device and wireless environment information in step  303 . For example, the BS may determine an MCS level of the electronic device in consideration of one or more of CQI of the electronic device and the wireless environment information. Here, the wireless environment information may include one or more of a Signal to Interface and Noise Ratio (SINR) and network load. 
         [0052]    After determining the data transmission control information of the electronic device, the BS may transmit the data transmission control information to the electronic device in step  305 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 4  illustrates a process in which the electronic device determines a serving network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the electronic device may identify channel environment-related indexes for a plurality of accessible networks in step  401 . For example, the electronic device may identify data transmission control information of networks received from the plurality of accessible networks. In another example, the electronic device may identify the channel environment information of each network by using reference signals received from the plurality of accessible networks. In another example, the electronic device may identify the channel environment information of each network by performing a ping test on the plurality of accessible networks. 
         [0055]    The electronic device determines a serving network by comparing the channel environment-related indexes of the networks in step  403 . For example, when determining the serving network in consideration of MCS levels of the networks, the electronic device may identify a data transmission rate according to the MCS level of each network in an MCS level table for each network stored in the data storage unit  212 . The electronic device may determine a network having the relatively highest data transmission rate among the accessible networks as the serving network. In another example, the electronic device may determine the serving network by comparing the MCS levels and CQI of the accessible networks. 
         [0056]      FIG. 5  illustrates a process in which the electronic device determines a serving network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the electronic device which can access a plurality of networks may access a first network and perform a communication service in step  501 . For example, the electronic device  120  may access the first BS  100 , which supports the first communication scheme, and perform the data communication in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0058]    The electronic device, which accesses the first network and performs the communication service, may identify whether the electronic device enters a service area of a second network in step  503 . The electronic device may identify whether the electronic device enters a service area of a BS, which uses a second communication scheme different from the communication scheme of the first network. For example, referring to  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  100  may identify whether the electronic device  100  enters the service area  112  of the second BS  110  according to movement thereof while accessing the first BS  100 . The electronic device  120  may identify whether a control signal of the second BS  110  is received while accessing the first BS  100 . 
         [0059]    When the electronic device does not enter the service area of the second network, the electronic device may access the first network and performs the communication service in step  501 . 
         [0060]    When the electronic device enters the service area of the second network, the electronic device may identify channel environment-related indexes of the first network and the second network in step  505 . For example, the electronic device may receive data transmission control information of each network from the first network and the second network. For example, the electronic device may transmit channel environment information of each network to each of the first network and the second network and receive data transmission control information from each network. In another example, the electronic device may identify channel environment information of each network by using reference signals received from the first network and the second network. In another example, the electronic device may identify the channel environment information of each network by performing a ping test on the first network and the second network. 
         [0061]    The electronic device may determine a serving network by comparing the channel environment-related indexes of the networks in step  507 . For example, when determining the serving network in consideration of MCS levels of the networks, the electronic device may identify a data transmission rate according to the MCS level of each network in an MCS level table for the networks stored in the data storage unit  212 . The electronic device may determine a network having the relatively highest data transmission rate among the accessible networks as the serving network. In another example, the electronic device may determine the serving network by comparing the MCS levels and CQI of the first network and the second network. 
         [0062]    In the above described embodiment, when the second network is determined as the serving network, the electronic device may access the second network through networking switching. Meanwhile, when the first network is determined as the serving network, the electronic device may maintain the access to the first network. 
         [0063]      FIG. 6  illustrates a process in which the electronic device determines a serving network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the electronic device, which can access a plurality of networks, may access a first network and perform a communication service in step  601 . For example, referring to  FIG. 1 , the electronic device  120  may access the first BS  100 , which supports the first communication scheme, and perform the data communication. 
         [0065]    The electronic device may identify whether an MCS level for the data communication with the first network is smaller than a reference MCS level in step  603 . 
         [0066]    When the MCS level for the data communication with the first network is larger than or equal to the reference MCS level, the electronic device may recognize that the data communication can be smoothly performed through the first network and may access the first network and perform the communication service in step  601 . 
         [0067]    When the MCS level for the data communication with the first network is smaller than the reference MCS level, the electronic device may recognize that the data communication cannot be smoothly performed through the first network and may identify whether access to the second network is possible in step  605 . For example, the electronic device may identify whether a control signal is received from a BS, which uses a second communication scheme different from the communication scheme of the first network. 
         [0068]    When there is no accessible second network, the electronic device may access the first network and perform the communication service in step  601 . 
         [0069]    Where there are one or more accessible second networks, the electronic device may identify channel environment-related indexes of the first network and the one or more second networks in step  607 . For example, the electronic device may receive data transmission control information of each network from the first network and the second network. For example, the electronic device may transmit channel environment information of each network to each of the first network and the second network and receive data transmission control information from each network. In another example, the electronic device may identify channel environment information of each network by using reference signals received from the first network and the second network. In another example, the electronic device may identify the channel environment information of each network by performing a ping test on the first network and the second network. 
         [0070]    The electronic device may determine a serving network by comparing the channel environment-related indexes of the networks in step  609 . For example, when determining the serving network in consideration of MCS levels of the networks, the electronic device may identify a data transmission rate according to the MCS level of each network in an MCS level table for the networks stored in the data storage unit  212 . The electronic device may determine a network having the relatively highest data transmission rate among the accessible networks as the serving network. In another example, the electronic device may determine the serving network by comparing the MCS levels and CQI of the first network and the second network. 
         [0071]    In the above described embodiment, when the MCS level of the first network is smaller than a reference MCS level, the electronic device may recognize that the data communication cannot be smoothly performed through the first network. 
         [0072]    In another embodiment, when the MCS level for the data communication with the first network is maintained to be smaller than the reference MCS level for a reference time, the electronic device may recognize that the data communication cannot be smoothly performed through the first network. 
         [0073]      FIG. 7  illustrates a process in which the electronic device determines a serving network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0074]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the electronic device, which can access a plurality of networks, may identify whether a network selection event is generated in step  701 . For example, the electronic device may identify whether power is turned on. 
         [0075]    When the network selection event is generated, the electronic device may identify whether there are a plurality of accessible networks in step  703 . For example, the electronic device may identify whether control signals of the plurality of networks are received. 
         [0076]    When the number of networks, which the electronic device can access, is one, the electronic device may access the corresponding network and perform the data communication. 
         [0077]    When the number of networks, which the electronic device can access, is plural, the electronic device identifies channel environment-related indexes of the accessible networks in step  705 . The electronic device may identify data transmission control information of networks received from the plurality of accessible networks. For example, the electronic device may transmit channel environment information of each network to the accessible networks and receive data transmission control information from each network. In another example, the electronic device may identify the channel environment information of each network by using reference signals received from the plurality of accessible networks. In another example, the electronic device may identify the channel environment information of each network by performing a ping test on the plurality of accessible networks. 
         [0078]    The electronic device may determine a serving network by comparing the channel environment-related indexes of the networks in step  707 . For example, when determining the serving network in consideration of MCS levels of the networks, the electronic device may identify a data transmission rate according to the MCS level of each network in an MCS level table for the networks stored in the data storage unit  212 . The electronic device may determine a network having the relatively highest data transmission rate among the accessible networks as the serving network. In another example, the electronic device may determine the serving network by comparing the MCS levels and CQI of the first network and the second network. 
         [0079]    In the above described embodiment, the electronic device may determine a serving network in consideration of channel environment-related indexes of the accessible networks. 
         [0080]    In another embodiment, the electronic device may determine a serving BS in consideration of channel environment-related indexes of BSs, which support the same network. 
         [0081]    Methods according to embodiments stated in the claims and/or specifications may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. 
         [0082]    In the implementation of software, a computer-readable storage medium for storing one or more programs (software modules) may be provided. The one or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium may be configured for execution by one or more processors within the electronic device. The one or more programs may include instructions for allowing the electronic device to perform methods according to embodiments stated in the claims and/or specifications of the present invention. 
         [0083]    The programs (software modules or software) may be stored in non-volatile memories including a random access memory and a flash memory, a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), a magnetic disc storage device, a Compact Disc-ROM (CD-ROM), Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs), or other type optical storage devices, or a magnetic cassette. Alternatively, the programs may be stored in a memory configured by a combination of some or all of the listed components. Further, a plurality of configuration memories may be included. 
         [0084]    In addition, the programs may be stored in an attachable storage device which may access the electronic device through communication networks such as the Internet, Intranet, Local Area Network (LAN), Wide LAN (WLAN), and Storage Area Network (SAN) or a combination thereof. The storage device may access the electronic device through an external port. 
         [0085]    Further, a separate storage device on a communication network may access a portable electronic device. 
         [0086]    As described above, the electronic device, which supports a plurality of networks, selects the serving network in consideration of the channel environment-related index of each network, thereby providing a data service at an optimal data transmission rate in an actual wireless environment. 
         [0087]    Meanwhile, although concrete embodiments have been described in the detailed description of the present disclosure, operation sequences of the electronic device may be changed, combined, or re-used and may be variously modified such as omission without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be defined as being limited to the embodiments, but should be defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.