Responding to a page message

A method for responding to a page message is provided. The method can include a wireless communication device receiving a page message on a first channel of a first network; suspending a connection to a second network in response to receiving the page message; transitioning to a second channel of the first network prior to responding to the page message; and sending a response message responsive to the page message on the second channel.

FIELD OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS

The described embodiments relate generally to wireless communications technology, and more particularly to responding to a page message.

BACKGROUND

Efforts are ongoing to develop and deploy new and improved cellular radio access technologies (RATs). For example, networks implementing Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, developed and standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), are currently being deployed. LTE and other newer RATs often support faster data rates than networks utilizing legacy RATs, such as various second generation (2G) and third generation (3G) RATs.

However, in some deployments, LTE and other new RATs may not fully support some services that can be handled by legacy networks. Accordingly, LTE networks are often co-deployed in overlapping regions with legacy networks and wireless communication devices may transition between RATs as services or coverage may require. For example, in some deployments, LTE networks are not capable of supporting voice calls. Thus, for example when a wireless communication device receives or initiates a circuit switched voice call while connected to an LTE network that supports data sessions, but not voice calls, the wireless communication device can transition to a legacy network, such as Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000) 1X, which is standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2), that supports voice calls.

Some wireless communication devices use a single radio to support operation on multiple cellular RATs. For example, some wireless communication devices use a single radio to support operation on both LTE and CDMA2000 1X networks. The use of a single radio for multiple RATs makes transitioning between networks, such as in response to a page message for an incoming voice call or circuit switched service, more complex.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS

Some embodiments disclosed herein provide improvements for responding to a page message. More particularly, some example embodiments provide a wireless communication device that can respond to a page message on a different channel than a channel on which the page message is received. Such example embodiments can be particularly beneficial for wireless communication devices using a single radio to support operation on multiple RATs, such as single radio LTE (SRLTE) devices, which can use a single radio to support operation on both LTE and CDMA2000 1X networks. In this regard, if a single radio wireless communication device in accordance with some example embodiments has an active connection to a first network, such as an LTE network, and receives a page message on a first channel of a second network, such as a CDMA2000 1X network, the device can transition to a second channel of the second network prior to responding to the page message. Such example embodiments can accordingly enable a wireless communication device to transition to a channel having a better signal quality prior to responding to the page message. A voice call and/or other service for which the page message is received can accordingly be serviced on a better channel of the second network, thus reducing the risk of call drops, reducing the incidence of network signaling overhead from performance of a handover to a better channel shortly after responding to the page message, and improving user experience.

In a first embodiment, a method for responding to a page message is provided. The method of the first embodiment can include a wireless communication device receiving a General Page Message (GPM) on a first channel of a Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000) 1X network. The method of the first embodiment can further include the wireless communication device suspending a connection to a second network in response to receiving the GPM. The second network can implement a Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio access technology (RAT). The method of the first embodiment can additionally include the wireless communication device transitioning to a second channel of the CDMA2000 1X network prior to responding to the GPM; and sending a Page Response Message (PRM) responsive to the GPM on the second channel.

In a second embodiment, a wireless communication device is provided. The wireless communication device of the second embodiment can include a radio and processing circuitry coupled to the radio. The radio can be configured to support communication with a first network and with a second network. The processing circuitry can be configured to control the wireless communication device of the second embodiment to at least receive a page message on a first channel of the first network; suspend a connection to the second network in response to receiving the page message; transition to a second channel of the first network prior to responding to the page message; and send a response message responsive to the page message on the second channel.

In a third embodiment, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product of the third embodiment can include at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium having program code stored thereon. The program code of the third embodiment can include program code for receiving a page message on a first channel of a first network; program code for suspending a connection to a second network in response to receiving the page message; program code for transitioning to a second channel of the first network prior to responding to the page message; and program code for sending a response message responsive to the page message on the second channel.

In a fourth embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus of the fourth embodiment can include means for receiving a page message on a first channel of a first network; means for suspending a connection to a second network in response to receiving the page message; means for transitioning to a second channel of the first network prior to responding to the page message; and means for sending a response message responsive to the page message on the second channel.

This Summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments so as to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above described example embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. Other embodiments, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

In a CDMA 2000 1x network, (as described in 3GPP2 CDMA specifications), when a wireless communication device receives a general page message (GPM), the page response message (PRM) is generally sent on the same channel on which the GPM is received to the sending base station. The only scenario in which prior wireless communication devices can send a PRM on a channel other than the channel on which the GPM is received is if the device can perform an access entry handoff (AEHO) procedure prior to sending the PRM. However, the network controls whether the device is allowed to perform an AEHO, and in many instances, the device may not be allowed by the network to perform an AEHO. Thus, prior devices are typically not allowed to perform a handoff to a another channel (e.g., a better pilot channel) while processing a GPM, even if there is another channel that has a better signal quality, which can indicate better network performance. If a prior device does perform a handoff to another channel prior to responding to a page message, the device does not send a response to the page message, and a call failure can result.

One possible work around to reduce call failure is to reduce the amount of time that the CDMA 2000 1X stack waits for LTE suspend to complete to reduce the possibility of a handoff occurring before the response to a page message. Another option is to drop any handoff triggers from lower layers while CDMA 2000 1X is waiting for the LTE suspend to complete to prevent an idle mode handoff before responding to the page message.

However, for a wireless communication device using a single radio to support communication with multiple RATs, such as an SRLTE device, which can use a single radio to support both LTE and CDMA 2000 1X connections, it can be beneficial for a device to perform an idle handoff to a different (e.g., better) channel of a network (e.g., a CDMA 2000 1X network) after decoding a received page message and before sending a page response. For example, it can be beneficial to perform a handoff while 1X is waiting for suspension of an LTE connection to be completed. Additionally or alternatively, it can be beneficial to perform a handoff through channel hashing to another channel before sending the page response. As discussed above, in prior systems, such handoffs before sending the page response would be prohibited, or if a handoff did occur, a prior device would not be allowed to send a page response on the new channel and a call failure would result. Some example embodiments described further herein below provide for responding to a page message on a channel other than the channel on which the page message was received, thus allowing a device to transition to a better channel before responding to a page message without resulting in a call failure even in instances in which a network has not enabled the device to perform an AEHO procedure. A voice call and/or other service for which the page message is received can accordingly be serviced on a better channel of the second network, thus reducing the risk of call drops, reducing the incidence of network signaling overhead from performance of a handover to a better channel shortly after responding to the page message, and improving user experience.

FIG. 1illustrates a wireless communication system100in accordance with some example embodiments. The system100can include a wireless communication device102. By way of non-limiting example, the wireless communication device102can be a cellular phone, such as a smart phone device, a tablet computing device, a laptop computing device, or other computing device configured to support communication via one or more RATs, such as one or more cellular RATs. In some embodiments, such as some embodiments in which the wireless communication device102is configured to support communication via a network implementing an LTE RAT, such as an LTE network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), and/or other present or future developed LTE RAT, the wireless communication device102can be referred to as user equipment (UE).

The wireless communication device102can be in an area of overlapping deployment of a first network104and a second network106. The first network104and second network106can each implement any respective RAT. However, a RAT implemented by the first network104can be different than a RAT implemented by the second network106.

In some example embodiments, the first network104can be a legacy network having a CS domain configured to support CS services, such as CS voice calls. By way of non-limiting example, the first network104can be a third generation (3G) network, such as a CDMA2000 1X network; a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), such as a Time Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) network or Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) network; or other 3G network. As a further example, the first network104can be a second Generation (2G) network, such as a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network.

In some example embodiments, the second network106can implement a RAT including a packet switched (PS) domain for supporting PS data sessions, but which does not include a circuit switched (CS) domain for supporting CS services, such as CS voice calls. Thus, for example, the second network106of some example embodiments, can implement an LTE RAT (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, and/or other present or future developed LTE RAT), and/or other fourth generation (4G) RAT an LTE or other 4G network, that does not include a CS domain.

In some example embodiments, the wireless communication device102can use a single radio to support communication with both the first network104and the second network106. For example, in some embodiments in which the second network106implements an LTE RAT, the wireless communication device102can be an SRLTE device.

Wireless communication device102can have an active connection to the second network106and can receive a page message on a first channel of the first network104. The page message can, for example, be a page for a mobile terminated (MT) voice call and/or other CS service. For example, in embodiments in which the first network104is a CDMA2000 1X network, the page message can be a General Page Message (GPM). In response to receiving the page message, the wireless communication device102can suspend its connection to the second network106so that the wireless communication device102can respond to the page message on the first network106and accept the MT voice call and/or other service for which the wireless communication device102is being paged. As described further herein below, the wireless communication device102of some example embodiments can transition to a second channel of the first network104prior to responding to the page message and can send a response message, such as a page response message (PRM), in response to the page message on the second channel of the first network104rather than the first channel of the first network104.

FIG. 2illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus200that can be implemented on a wireless communication device102in accordance with some example embodiments. In this regard, when implemented on a computing device, such as wireless communication device102, apparatus200can enable the computing device to operate within the system100in accordance with one or more example embodiments. It will be appreciated that the components, devices or elements illustrated in and described with respect toFIG. 2below may not be mandatory and thus some may be omitted in certain embodiments. Additionally, some embodiments can include further or different components, devices or elements beyond those illustrated in and described with respect toFIG. 2.

In some example embodiments, the apparatus200can include processing circuitry210that is configurable to perform actions in accordance with one or more example embodiments disclosed herein. In this regard, the processing circuitry210can be configured to perform and/or control performance of one or more functionalities of the apparatus200in accordance with various example embodiments, and thus can provide means for performing functionalities of the apparatus200in accordance with various example embodiments. The processing circuitry210can be configured to perform data processing, application execution and/or other processing and management services according to one or more example embodiments.

In some embodiments, the apparatus200or a portion(s) or component(s) thereof, such as the processing circuitry210, can include one or more chipsets, which can each include one or more chips. The processing circuitry210and/or one or more further components of the apparatus200can therefore, in some instances, be configured to implement an embodiment on a single chip or chipset. In some example embodiments in which one or more components of the apparatus200are embodied as a chipset, the chipset can be capable of enabling a computing device to operate in the system100when implemented on or otherwise operably coupled to the computing device. Thus, for example, one or more components of the apparatus200can provide a chipset configured to enable a computing device to operate over the first network104and/or the second network106. In accordance with some example embodiments, one or more components of the apparatus200can provide a cellular baseband chipset.

In some example embodiments, the processing circuitry210can include a processor212and, in some embodiments, such as that illustrated inFIG. 2, can further include memory214. The processing circuitry210can be in communication with or otherwise control a radio216, radio control module218, and/or page response module220.

The processor212can be embodied in a variety of forms. For example, the processor212can be embodied as various hardware-based processing means such as a microprocessor, a coprocessor, a controller or various other computing or processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), some combination thereof, or the like. Although illustrated as a single processor, it will be appreciated that the processor212can comprise a plurality of processors. The plurality of processors can be in operative communication with each other and can be collectively configured to perform one or more functionalities of the apparatus200as described herein. In some example embodiments, the processor212can be configured to execute instructions that can be stored in the memory214or that can be otherwise accessible to the processor212. As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the processor212capable of performing operations according to various embodiments while configured accordingly.

In some example embodiments, the memory214can include one or more memory devices. Memory214can include fixed and/or removable memory devices. In some embodiments, the memory214can provide a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that can store computer program instructions that can be executed by the processor212. In this regard, the memory214can be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions and/or the like for enabling the apparatus200to carry out various functions in accordance with one or more example embodiments. In some embodiments, the memory214can be in communication with one or more of the processor212, radio216, radio control module218, or page response module via a bus(or buses) for passing information among components of the apparatus200.

The apparatus200can further include a radio216. The radio216can be configured to enable the apparatus200to send wireless signals to and receive signals from both the first network104and the second network106. In this regard, the apparatus200of some example embodiments can use a single radio to support communication via both a RAT implemented by the first network104and a RAT implemented by the second network106. As such, the radio216can be configured to support any type of cellular or other wireless communication technology that may be implemented by the first network104and/or second network106.

The apparatus200can further include radio control module218. The radio control module218can be embodied as various means, such as circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium (for example, the memory214) storing computer readable program instructions that are executable by a processing device (for example, the processor212), or some combination thereof. In some embodiments, the processor212(or the processing circuitry210) can include, or otherwise control the radio control module218. The radio control module218can be configured to control operation of the radio216. For example, in some example embodiments, the radio control module218can be configured to tune the radio216(e.g., to perform a tune away) to/from a network, such as the first network104and second network106. As a further example, in some example embodiments, the radio control module218can be configured to control the radio216to transition between channels of a network, such as between channels of the first network204. As a more particular example, the radio control module218can be configured to cause the wireless communication device102to perform an idle mode handoff to another channel, such as based on a measured channel quality metric indicating that the target channel is better than a current channel. The radio control module218can additionally or alternatively be configured to control the wireless communication device102to perform channel hashing to another channel.

The apparatus200can further include page response module220. The page response module220can be embodied as various means, such as circuitry, hardware, a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium (for example, the memory214) storing computer readable program instructions that are executable by a processing device (for example, the processor212), or some combination thereof. In some embodiments, the processor212(or the processing circuitry210) can include, or otherwise control the page response module220. The page response module220can be configured to decode and/or otherwise process a received page message. The page response module220can be further configured to format and send a response message in response to a received page message.

FIG. 3illustrates a flowchart according to an example method for responding to a page message according to some example embodiments. In this regard,FIG. 3illustrates operations that can be performed by a wireless communication device102in accordance with some example embodiments. One or more of processing circuitry210, processor212, memory214, radio216, radio control module218, or page response module220can, for example, provide means for performing one or more of the operations illustrated in and described with respect toFIG. 3.

Operation300can include the wireless communication device300receiving a page message on a first channel of the first network104. In embodiments in which the first network104is a CDMA2000 1X network, the page message can be a GPM. The page message can, for example, be a page message for an MT voice call and/or for another CS service, which can be serviced by the first network104. The received page message can be decoded by the page response module220.

In response to receipt of the page message, the wireless communication device300can suspend a connection to the second network106, at operation310. In some example embodiments suspension of the connection to the second network106can include the radio control module218sending a message to the second network106, which is configured to trigger suspension of the connection to the second network106. For example, in some embodiments in which the second network106implements an LTE RAT, operation310can include sending an Extended Service Request (ESR) to the second network106. In some embodiments in which a message is sent to the second network106to trigger suspension of the connection, operation310can include the radio control module218tuning the radio216away from the first network104to the second network106, sending the message, and then tuning the radio216back to the first network104. An example method for suspending the connection to the second network106in accordance with some such embodiments in which a message configured to trigger suspension of the connection is sent to the second network106is illustrated in and described in more detail with respect toFIG. 4below. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the wireless communication device300can suspend a connection to the second network106internally without sending a message or other notification to the second network106.

Operation320can include the wireless communication device102transitioning to a second channel of the first network104prior to responding to the page message. Operation320can, for example, be performed at least partially under the control of the radio control module218, which can, in some example embodiments, control the radio216to transition to the second channel. The second channel can, for example, be a channel (e.g., a pilot channel) having a better signal quality than the first channel. In some example embodiments, the transition to the second channel can occur while waiting for the suspension of the connection to the second network106to be completed. In some example embodiments in which performance of operation310includes tuning the radio216away from the first network104to the second network106and sending a message configured to trigger suspension of the connection to the second network106, such as illustrated in and further described with respect toFIG. 4below, transitioning to the second channel of the first network104can be performed after the radio216is tuned back to the first network104and the connection to the first network104comes out of a sleep state. In embodiments in which the connection to the first network104is not put in a sleep state to facilitate performance of operation310, transitioning to the second channel of the first network104can be performed at any time.

In some example embodiments, transitioning to the second channel can include the wireless communication device102performing one or more idle mode handoffs. Additionally or alternatively, in some example embodiments, transitioning to the second channel can include the wireless communication device102performing channel hashing to one or more channels. In this regard, the wireless communication device102can receive an overhead message, such as a channel list message, that can be sent by the first network104, which can include a list of channels and the wireless communication device102can use hashing techniques based on an identifier, such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), that can be unique to the wireless communication device102to perform hashing on the channel list and determine a channel(s) on which the wireless communication device102is permitted to camp. The wireless communication device102can accordingly perform channel hashing to a permitted channel. In some example embodiments, channel hashing can, for example, be performed in accordance with the 3GPP2 CDMA C.S0005 specification. In some instances, transitioning to the second channel can include a mix of one or more idle mode handoffs and channel hashing, such as illustrated in and described with respect toFIGS. 5 and 7below.

As operation320can include the wireless communication device102performing one or more idle mode handoffs and/or performing channel hashing to one or more channels (e.g., one or more channel hashes), it will be appreciated that in some instances, transitioning to the second channel can include indirectly transitioning from the first channel to the second channel via one or more intermediate channels of the first network104. As a non-limiting example of such an indirect transition, the wireless communication device102can perform an idle mode handoff from “Channel A” to “Channel B.” The wireless communication device102can then receive and process a channel list message and determine that it is not permitted to camp on “Channel B.” The wireless communication device102can then perform channel hashing to a permitted “Channel C” based on hashing the channel list message.

The transition to the second channel can, for example, include a transition to a second channel on the same base station/sector as the first channel. As another example, the transition to the second channel can be an inter-base station and/or inter-sector transition such that the second channel can be a channel on a different base station/sector than the base station/sector of the first channel. In some example embodiments, the channel of the first network204on which the page message is received (e.g., the first channel) and the second channel to which the wireless communication device102transitions in operation320can both be associated with a same System ID/network ID (SID/NID).

Operation330can include the page response module220sending a response message, such as a PRM, responsive to the page message on the second channel. As such, the response message can be sent on a channel of the first network104other than the channel on which the page message was received by the wireless communication device102in operation300. However, the page message may have also been sent on the second channel by the first network104in some instances. In this regard, in some instances, the first network104may not know on which channel the wireless communication device102is camped at the time the page message is sent, and can send the page message on multiple channels. For example, in some embodiments, the first network104can send the page message on all channels/base stations in a SID/NID zone (e.g., channels/base stations associated with the same SID/NID).

FIG. 4illustrates a flowchart according to an example method for suspending a connection to a network in response to receipt of a page message according to some example embodiments. In this regard,FIG. 4illustrates operations that can be performed by the wireless communication device102attendant to performance of operation310in accordance with some example embodiments. One or more of processing circuitry210, processor212, memory214, radio216, radio control module218, or page response module220can, for example, provide means for performing one or more of the operations illustrated in and described with respect toFIG. 4.

Operation400can include the radio control module218tuning the radio216away from the first network104to the second network106. Operation410can include the wireless communication device102sending a message configured to trigger suspension of the connection to the second network106to the second network106. In some example embodiments, such as some embodiments in which the second network106implements an LTE RAT, the message can be an ESR. However, it will be appreciated that messages other than ESR messages are contemplated within the scope of the disclosure, and any message that can be used to trigger suspension of the connection can be sent in operation410. Operation420can include the radio control module218tuning the radio216back to the first network104after sending the message.

FIG. 5illustrates a flowchart according to another example method for responding to a page message according to some example embodiments. In this regard,FIG. 5illustrates operations that can be performed by wireless communication device102in accordance with an example embodiment of the method ofFIG. 3in which the device performs a combination of one or more idle mode handoffs and one or more channel hashes. One or more of processing circuitry210, processor212, memory214, radio216, radio control module218, or page response module220can, for example, provide means for performing one or more of the operations illustrated in and described with respect toFIG. 5.

Operation500can include the wireless communication device102receiving a page message on a first channel of the first network104. In this regard, operation500can correspond to an embodiment of operation300.

Operation510can include the wireless communication device102suspending a connection to the second network106in response to receiving the page message. Operation510can accordingly correspond to an embodiment of operation310.

Operation520can include the wireless communication device102performing an idle mode handoff from the first channel on which the page message is received in operation500to a second channel of the first network104. The second channel can, for example, be a channel having a better signal quality than the first channel. Operation520can, for example, be performed at least partially under the control of the radio control module218, which can, in some example embodiments, control the radio216to transition to the second channel.

Operation530can include the wireless communication device102performing channel hashing to transition from the second channel to a third channel of the first network104. In this regard, the wireless communication device102can receive an overhead message, such as a channel list message, that can be sent by the first network104, which can include a list of channels and the wireless communication device102can use hashing techniques based on an identifier, such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), that can be unique to the wireless communication device102to perform hashing on the channel list and determine a channel(s) on which the wireless communication device102is permitted to camp. The wireless communication device102can accordingly perform channel hashing to a permitted channel (e.g., the third channel). For example, in some instances, the second channel to which the wireless communication device102can transition through performance of an idle mode handoff in operation520may not be a channel on which the wireless communication device102is permitted to camp, and the wireless communication device102can, in turn, perform a channel hash to a permitted channel after receiving and processing a channel list message.

Operations520and530can, for example, collectively comprise an embodiment of operation320. It will be appreciated, however, that while a single idle mode handoff and a single channel hash are illustrated in and described by example with respect toFIG. 5, in some instances, the wireless communication device102can perform multiple idle mode handoffs and/or multiple channel hashes before responding to the page message. Further, while the performance of a channel hash is illustrated as occurring in operation530after performance of an idle mode handoff in operation520, it will be appreciated that in some instances, the wireless communication device102can perform one or more channel hashes prior to performing an idle mode handoff and/or can perform one or more idle mode handoffs after performing a channel hash.

Operation540can include the page response module220sending a response message responsive to the page message on the third channel. In this regard, operation540can correspond to an embodiment of operation330. The first network104can know the channels on which the wireless communication device102is permitted to camp through channel hashing and, as such, can be able to process a page response received on a channel other than that on which the page message is received by the wireless communication device102in accordance with some example embodiments.

FIG. 6illustrates a signaling diagram according to an example method for responding to a page message according to some example embodiments. In this regard,FIG. 6illustrates example signaling that can be exchanged between a wireless communication device602and a Channel A604of a CDMA2000 1X network, a Channel B606of a CDMA2000 1X network, and an LTE network (NW)608in accordance with some example embodiments. The wireless communication device602in the example ofFIG. 6can, for example, be an embodiment of wireless communication device102. The CDMA2000 1X network in the example ofFIG. 6can, for example, be an embodiment of the first network104. The LTE network608in the example ofFIG. 6can, for example, be an embodiment of the second network106.

In operation610, the wireless communication device602can be camped on Channel A604and can receive a GPM sent by the CDMA2000 1X network on channel A604. The wireless communication device602can have an active connection to the LTE network608and, in response to receiving the GPM, can tune its radio away from the CDMA2000 1X network to the LTE network608. In this regard, the wireless communication device602can be an SRLTE device that can use a single radio to support both communication via the CDMA2000 1X network and the LTE network. Operation630can include the wireless communication device602sending an ESR to the LTE network608to trigger suspension of the connection to the LTE network608. Operation640can include the wireless communication device602tuning the radio back to the CDMA2000 1X network and returning to the CDMA2000 1X network from the LTE network608. In this regard, operations620-640can, for example, correspond to an embodiment of operations400-420as illustrated in and described with respect toFIG. 4.

Operation650can include the wireless communication device602transitioning to Channel B606. Operation650can, for example, include the wireless communication device602performing one or more idle mode handoffs and/or one or more channel hashes, such as described with respect to operation320. In some instances, the wireless communication device602can indirectly transition form Channel A604to Chanel B606via one or more intermediate channels before settling on Channel B606.

Operation660can include the wireless communication device602sending a PRM to Channel B606. As such, the PRM can be sent on a channel other than the channel on which it was received by the wireless communication device602.

FIG. 7illustrates a flowchart according to a further example method for responding to a page message according to some example embodiments. In this regard,FIG. 7illustrates operations that can be performed by a wireless communication device102in accordance with some example embodiments. One or more of processing circuitry210, processor212, memory214, radio216, radio control module218, or page response module220can, for example, provide means for performing one or more of the operations illustrated in and described with respect toFIG. 7.

Operation700can include the wireless communication device102receiving a GPM on a first channel of the first network104. Operation710can include the wireless communication device102performing an idle mode handoff to another channel of the first network104. For example, the wireless communication device102can perform an idle mode handoff (e.g., inter-base station or intra-base station handoff) to a channel having a better signal quality (e.g., better pilot signal quality) than the fist channel on which the GPM is received. Multiple idle mode handoffs can be permitted and can occur during operation710. Operation720can include the wireless communication performing channel hashing to a further channel, such as in accordance with the 3GPP2 CDMA C.S0005 specification.

If AEHO is enabled for the wireless communication device102, operation730can include the wireless communication device102performing an AEHO to a channel with a stronger pilot. However, operation730can be omitted in some instances, such as instances in which the first network102has not enabled AEHO for the wireless communication device102.

Operation740can include the wireless communication device102entering an update overhead information sub-state of CDMA access state. In this regard, operation740can include the wireless communication device102processing one or more overhead messages received on the new channel and updating network parameters based on information included in the received overhead message(s) (e.g., after transitioning to the new channel pursuant to performance of one or more of operations710-730).

Operation750can include the wireless communication device102sending a PRM on the new channel (e.g., pilot and frequency) that can be selected by the wireless communication device102after completion of operations710-740. As such, in the example ofFIG. 7, the wireless communication device102can transition to another channel prior to responding to the GPM and can respond to the GPM in accordance with an updated state of network parameters based on the overhead message(s) that can be processed in operation740.

Further, the foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. The description of and examples disclosed with respect to the embodiments presented in the foregoing description are provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the described embodiments. The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications, alternative applications, and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. In this regard, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. Further, in some instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments.