Abstract:
A mobile terminal includes a detector configured to detect presence of a first possible connection to a mobile network and a second possible connection to the mobile network, the first possible connection being a connection of a first technology and the second possible connection being a connection of a second technology. A selector identifies which of the first possible connection and the second possible connection causes less energy consumption in the mobile terminal in its low-power mode of operation, and a controller connects the mobile terminal to the mobile network through the identified possible connection. The disclosure is also directed to a corresponding operating method, a corresponding computer program, and a network entity for supporting a mobile terminal in performing a power consumption sensitive cell reselection.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a mobile terminal for participating in a mobile network. In particular, the present invention relates to a configurable mobile terminal being adapted to perform power consumption sensitive cell reselection. The present invention furthermore relates to a corresponding operating method for operating a mobile terminal and a corresponding computer program. The invention furthermore relates to a network entity of a mobile network that supports participation of such a mobile terminal and a corresponding method and a corresponding computer program. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A mobile terminal, such as an user equipment (UE), is usually operated with a battery providing the necessary energy to the mobile terminal. Concerning most mobile terminals, it is generally strived for a long standby time, as a long standby time is one key performance of a mobile terminal. During standby, a mobile terminal usually searches for an appropriate cell of a mobile communication network to camp on and associates itself to such a cell that provides comparatively strong radio signal strengths and that thus guarantees a comparatively good quality of a radio connection to the mobile communication network. 
     In this context, publication D. Fiore et al.: “Cell Reselection Parameter Optimization in UMTS”, 2nd international symposium on wireless communication systems, 2005, IEEE, pages 50-53, describes that user equipment shall regularly search for better cell to camp on according to a cell reselection criterion. Such mechanism shall ensure an acceptable quality of the camping cell. The standby time is decreased by frequent cell reselections, as performing a cell reselection causes some energy consumption. Thus, a very reactive cell reselection mechanism, that is to say: comparatively frequent cell reselections, can guarantee an adequate quality of the camping cell at the expensive of standby time. The publication furthermore describes that a mobile terminal being located in two or more mobile network cells overlapping each other compares signal strength values provided by each of the cells and associates itself to the cell that provides the higher signal strength value. In order to avoid ping-pong effects regarding the cell reselection mechanism due to signal strength values varying in a same small value range, the mobile terminal is equipped with a hysteresis control. Accordingly, the mobile terminal remains associated to a cell, as long as the received-signal strength value of a signal provided by the cell does not leave the hysteresis range. The hysteresis range is defined by a preset value of a difference in received-signal strength between an alternative cell and the currently selected cell. It is also described that increasing the hysteresis range always reduces the reselection rate. This reduction would always lead to an increase of standby time of the mobile terminal but would not necessarily lead to a reduced cell quality. 
     From EP 1 300 038 a terminal device is known that is configured to select a cell requiring the least amount of energy for transmitting payload data in terms of the radiated power level. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a technical object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal, in particular a stationary mobile terminal, for participating in a mobile network, wherein a standby time of the mobile terminal can be further increased. It is also a technical object of the present invention to provide a corresponding operating method for operating a mobile terminal and a corresponding computer program. 
     It is furthermore a technical object of the present invention to provide a network entity of a mobile network that is adapted to support power consumption sensitive cell reselection of mobile terminals participating in the mobile network. It is also a technical object of the present invention to provide a corresponding operating method for operating a network entity and a corresponding computer program. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, the technical object is achieved by a mobile terminal for participating in a mobile network, the mobile terminal being configured to be operated in a normal mode of operation, which involves a transmission of payload data, and in a low-power mode of operation, which does not involve a transmission of payload data, wherein the mobile terminal comprises:
         a detector configured to detect presence of a first possible connection to the mobile network and of a second possible connection to the mobile network, the first possible connection being a connection of a first technology and the second possible connection being a connection of a second technology,   a selector configured to identify which of the first possible connection and the second possible connection in the low-power mode causes less energy consumption in the mobile terminal than the other due to a difference between the first and second technology, and   a controller configured to connect the mobile terminal to the mobile network through that of the possible connections, which is identified by the selector.       

     The present invention recognizes that, in the low-power mode, the mobile terminal can be in a situation, where the first possible connection and the second possible connection to the mobile network are present and wherein there are no explicit requirements for selecting one or the other connection, for instance requirements set by a network provider or requirements derived from a comparison of signal strengths/qualities of both connections. Generally spoken, the mobile terminal being in such situation could principally choose either the first possible connection or the second possible connection for connecting to the mobile network. 
     In contrast, according to prior art, a cell reselection is only performed autonomously by a mobile terminal in the normal mode, if the new connection has significantly better signal strength/quality. The mobile terminal of present invention, however, enables an autonomous change of the connection by the mobile terminal also in the low-power mode, based on a criterion of reduced energy consumption, which is required according to a respective technology of a given available connection, in the low-power mode by the mobile terminal. 
     According to the present invention, therefore, it is suggested that the mobile terminal comprises a selector configured to identify which of the first possible connection of the first technology and the second possible connection of the second technology allows for less energy consumption in the mobile terminal in the low-power mode than the other due to a difference between the first and second technology, and that the controller of the mobile terminal connects the mobile terminal to the mobile network through the identified less-power consuming connection in the low-power mode, unless there are higher-priority requirements for performing a cell reselection, for instance set by the network provider, the operator of the mobile terminal or defined in a relevant mobile communication standard. 
     The term “connection” is to be understood as comprising both, packet-switched and circuit-switched communication channels as different embodiments of establishing a connection having the mobile terminal as one end point. The term “possible connection” is to be understood as comprising also the currently active connection as one of a plurality of possible connections, from which the mobile terminal may select. 
     In the following, embodiments of the mobile terminal of the first aspect of the present invention are described. Additional features elucidated in the context of different embodiments can be combined with each other to form further embodiments of the mobile terminal of the first aspect of the present invention, as long as they are not explicitly described as forming mutually exclusive alternatives to each other. 
     The normal mode is also often called “active mode”. The low-power mode is in one embodiment a sleep mode. In a sleep mode, functional modules for operation of the mobile terminal are active only to minimum extent. All unnecessary components are shut down in a number of stages. However, the mobile device is registered and paging with the mobile network through a base station or a network node similar in function, through a connection. 
     It is noted, that the strongest effect of the invention on energy savings is achieved in the sleep mode. Still, some energy can be saved when implementing the invention alternatively in other modes of operation that do not involve a transmission of payload data. In another embodiment, such other modes of operation that do not involve payload data transmission are included with the sleep mode in the low-power mode according to the present invention to further increase its effect. In such embodiments, therefore, the low-power mode according to the present invention comprises different modes of operation, in which no payload data is transmitted between the mobile network and the mobile terminal, for instance the sleep mode and an idle mode. The idle mode is well known in the art. In the idle mode, more functional modules of the mobile terminal are active than in the sleep mode. When registered to a network in an idle mode, paging is carried out by a mobile terminal in order to achieve and maintain synchrony with the network. 
     The present invention is applicable to low-power modes that refer to payload transmission of any kind, voice or data. In one embodiment, the mobile device is configured to distinguish modes of operation additionally by the payload data to be transmitted, for instance voice or data. In this embodiment, separate respective normal and low-power modes of operation are provided for different types of payload data transmission. As an illustrative example of the advantageous applicability of the invention, a mobile terminal camping on a cell has to perform certain computing routines according to a relevant standard of the cell. A change to another available cell providing comparable signal strength can be of advantage. The required routines are often associated to technology-specific, which is meant here to include also cell-specific parameters, such as a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle etc. For instance, the 3GPP specification TS25.133 defines requirements for selection towards a higher ranked cell according to signal strength/quality and defines a measurement periodicity based on DRX cycle length for a mobile terminal being served by a UMTS cell. As a matter of consequence, a cell with a shorter DRX cycle leads to a higher measurement activity, whilst larger DRX cycles require less often neighbour cell measurements. In this example, the change of technology of connection in the low-power mode is formed by changing to a connection with a cell that requires less measurement activity due to a longer DRX cycle. 
     Alternatively or additionally to a DRX cycle length, also timer values, such as T3212 values (relevant for both UMTS and GSM), and/or Power Class values (relevant for GSM) can be considered when determining the most suited technology with regards to power consumption employed in available cells, that is to say: when identifying, which of the possible connections causes less energy consumption in the mobile terminal than the other(s) in the low-power mode. 
     Hence, in dependence of the technology of the currently associated cell, the power consumption in the mobile terminal in the low-power mode can be larger or smaller. Therefore, it is advantageous that the mobile terminal, when in the low-power mode, connects to the mobile network through such of possible connections that allows for less energy consumption in the mobile terminal than the other(s). 
     Since the connection to the mobile network identified by the selector causes less energy consumption in the mobile terminal in the low-power mode, the standby time of the mobile terminal can be increased. Thus, the lifetime of a battery driving the mobile terminal can be increased. These technical advantages are significant, as a long standby time is a key performance feature of a mobile terminal. This is especially valid for use of the mobile terminal in a metering application. 
     The selection of the connection of the mobile network according to the least-energy consuming technology for the low-power mode is in one embodiment done autonomously by the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal is not necessarily dependent on a mobile network instruction. However, in other embodiments, the mobile terminal is supported by the mobile network in selecting the connection to the mobile network with regards to achieving less power consumption, especially in the case of a cell configuration causing certain required activity or a certain amount of efforts at the mobile device, which as such leads to a higher power consumption. There are activities of the mobile device, which become obvious as required activities only after the mobile device has read an entire broadcast received from the mobile network. Network support can prevent such drawbacks of increased power consumption in these situations. 
     It shall be understood that a single term as in the present description and in the claims shall not be construed in a sense that would reduce the applicability of the present invention to a certain mobile communication standard. For instance, the mobile terminal can be a User Equipment that is adapted to participate in a second generation (2G) and/or third generation (3G) mobile communication network. The mobile network can be a 2G, 2.5G, 3G, LTE or any other mobile communication network. The mobile network can thus be any communication network enabling mobile communication via a radio access network. The applicability of the present invention is not only reduced to methods, devices and computer programs implemented/forming or participating in a wide-area-mobile communication network, such as GSM, UMTS or LTE, but the invention can also be applied in a local mobile communication network like PICO cell, WLAN, WPAN, WiFi or similar networks. 
     The first technology and the second technology can in alternative embodiments follow the same technology standard or different technology standards. In an example of different technology standards, the first technology may be UMTS, employing WCDMA, and the second technology may be GSM. However, in an example of identical technology standards employed, the first technology and the second technology could both be UMTS, or, more specifically, both be WCDMA, such as WCDMA DRX 9. 
     In particular, presence of a possible connection from the mobile terminal to the mobile network means in one embodiment that such connection is available for the mobile terminal. 
     The controller of the mobile terminal is not necessarily to be understood as being a microcontroller in a conventional sense, but rather as a unit that is configured to perform necessary actions in order to effect cell reselection, e.g., disconnecting the mobile terminal from the first connection and connecting the mobile terminal to the second connection or, respectively, vice versa. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the controller is configured to effect further settings in the mobile terminal, such that power consumption in the mobile terminal is furthermore reduced. This aspect is addressed in more detail below. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the detector is further configured to detect that one of at least two values, namely, a first value indicative of a received-signal strength and associated with the first possible connection and at least a second value indicative of a received-signal strength associated with the at least one second possible connection, lies in a predetermined hysteresis range with respect to the respective other value. To save energy, the selector is in this embodiment preferably configured to be in operation only upon detection of this hysteresis situation, i.e., that at least one of the received-signal strength values is in the hysteresis range with respect to at least one other of the received-signal strength values. Instead of the received-signal strength, other alternative measurable parameters indicative of the current radio conditions in a functionally equivalent manner may be used for defining and detecting the hysteresis range. 
     The predetermined hysteresis range can have an absolute value of, e.g., 10 dB. Such hysteresis value is, e.g., appropriate for a network according to a GSM or a UMTS standard, such as a Received Signal Code Power (RSCP) in UMTS. Further relative values are possible. 
     In one embodiment, the selector is further configured to additionally consider, once it is in operation, in particular upon detection of the hysteresis situation, a suitability criterion for the possible connections, in addition to the energy-consumption criterion for the low-power mode. In particular, the selector is configured to additionally check the suitability criterion for the possible connections, and, in case the suitability criterion is not fulfilled by a possible connection that in the low-power mode causes less energy consumption in the mobile terminal than the other possible connections due to a difference between the first and second technology, to block the output of an identification of that possible connection. For instance, in case another cell is available for selection and would be identified according to the energy-consumption criterion by the selector, the received signal strength is additionally analysed according to the cell suitability criterion. The cell suitability criterion may for instance require the received signal strength to be above a threshold level. This is typically the case above around −105 dB, i.e., at a signal level of −104 dB or higher. In a variant of this embodiment, the suitability criterion takes into account known distance values of the mobile terminal from respective transmitters serving the possible connections. In this variant, the selector is configured to perform said identifying additionally in dependence of a first distance value and a second distance value, the first distance value indicating a first distance between a current position of the mobile terminal and a first transmitter associated with the first mobile network cell and the second distance value indicating a second distance between the current position of the mobile terminal and a second transmitter associated with the second mobile network cell. This embodiment recognizes that a distance to a transmitter serving a cell can significantly influence transmission power of the mobile terminal and, therefore, total power consumption of the mobile terminal. The longer the distance, the higher is the transmission power. This particular holds true for a WCDMA based network cell. Instead of a distance to a respective transmitter, a distance from the mobile terminal to a center area of the cell, in which an average signal strength is higher compared to an average signal strength in a remaining area in the cell, may be used. 
     The mobile terminal can be in situation where the first signal strength value and/or at least one of the second signal strength values fluctuate within the predetermined hysteresis range. 
     Within the predetermined hysteresis range, the mobile terminal is not tied to a requirement that defines which of the first possible connection and the second possible connection is to be selected for connecting to the mobile network. Such requirement may be set by a provider of the mobile network or it may be defined in an applicable communication standard, to which the mobile terminal adheres. 
     The mobile terminal can be connected to the mobile network through the first possible connection exhibiting the first received-signal strength value. If the mobile terminal detects that a second possible connection is present that currently offers received-signal strength in the predetermined hysteresis range with respect to the current first possible connection, and that this second possible connection allows a lower energy consumption in the mobile terminal than the current first connection, the mobile terminal of the present embodiment changes from the first connection to the second connection. 
     Thus, in contrast to a mobile terminal according to the prior art that does not change a current connection upon detecting a received-signal strength value for an alternative second possible connection that lies in a hysteresis range, the present embodiment provides a cell selection rule, according to which the mobile terminal shall operate in such a hysteresis situation. In particular, the mobile terminal of the first aspect of the present invention can change from a current connection offering a signal exhibiting the first received-signal strength value to another connection offering a signal exhibiting the second received-signal strength that lies in the predetermined hysteresis range. 
     In an embodiment, the predetermined hysteresis range can be set and stored in the mobile terminal and can also be adjusted during operation of the mobile terminal. 
     The first possible connection can be associated with a first mobile network cell and the second possible connection can be associated with a second mobile network cell. In this case, the controller is preferentially further configured to perform a cell reselection by connecting the mobile terminal to the mobile network through the identified possible connection. The mobile terminal thus performs a power consumption sensitive cell reselection for minimizing power/energy consumption in the mobile terminal. 
     In an embodiment, the mobile terminal is adapted to select a cell which is weaker in signal strength than its current serving cell, if the new cell in comparison is beneficial with respect to required power consumption within the mobile terminal. 
     It shall be understood, that the technology-based cell reselection according to the present invention can for instance be an inter-RAT or an intra-RAT reselection. Concerning UMTS, the following types of technology-based reselections are possible: 3G-3G, for instance between UMTS and another 3G system, FDD (frequency division duplex) to FDD inter-frequency, FDD/TDD (time division duplex) reselection, TDD/FDD reselection, TDD/TDD reselection, cell reselection 3G-2G (e.g. cell reselection to GSM), cell reselection 2G-3G (e.g. cell reselection from GSM). 
     Further technology-related variants can be implemented. For instance, a cell reselection may be based on an information, if available, which GSM frequency band is used. This is especially advantageous when a required power consumption per band is known. 
     A technology-based selection of the connection is in one embodiment implemented on the basis of an energy-consumption-selective connection to one of a plurality of mobile networks operated by one of a plurality of network providers. The mobile terminal of this embodiment is configured to be operated using one of a plurality of different subscriber identity modules, such as for instance a SIM, USIM, and/or component SIM. Thus the mobile terminal of this embodiment may be implemented in different variants, one providing for holding only one SIM, others for carrying different SIMs in parallel. While the term subscriber identity module is mostly used in the art with reference to a particular technology standard, namely GSM, it is to be understood in the context of the present specification in a merely functional way, that is, without restriction to a particular technology standard, be it GSM, UMTS, LTE or another technology standard. 
     The selector of the present embodiment of the mobile terminal is configured to detect, which of a first possible connection that can be established or maintained using a first subscriber identity module and of a second possible connection to a mobile network that can be established or maintained using a second subscriber identity module causes less energy consumption in the mobile terminal, the first possible connection being a connection of a first technology and the second possible connection being a connection of a second technology. 
     The present embodiment may be used with advantage in machine-to-machine applications. Many such application devices are fixed installations equipped with a mobile terminal, for instance in the form of a radio module. Many types of mobile terminal have a SIM holder for operating the device with a removable subscriber identity module. Typically a scan for available mobile networks is performed, when the application device is being installed in the field. In this context, the present embodiment has the advantage of providing as an output information on the most energy saving connection to a mobile network in the low-power mode, irrespective of whether a SIM for any of the respective possible connections is currently installed in the mobile device or not. Upon insertion of a respective SIM for the selected connection, the mobile device can be operated under control by the controller in a particularly power-saving low-power mode, in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention. 
     In an embodiment of a mobile device that carries different subscriber identity modules in operation, the network scan may be repeated automatically time after time, or upon manual or remote control input, that is, upon reception of a corresponding control signal, for instance via an AT command. For instance, in one application case an electric meter for energy consumption in a household is equipped with a mobile terminal in the form of a radio module having a plurality of subscriber identity modules for different mobile network providers. The mobile terminal of the present exemplary embodiment performs a cell selection similar to that known in the art as “Informal Network Scan”, which comprises a scan of all available networks, preferably without subscriber identify modules, prior to decide which network provide best radio conditions and is therefore recommended to be chosen for the current mobile terminal, but, in contrast to that known feature, selects a cell, based on energy consumption required for the mobile terminal, in accordance with the various aspects of the present invention. The selection may be performed initially upon start up of the mobile terminal, or during further operation after start up, or both. 
     An active support from the network, i.e., assistance in handing over the mobile terminal to a connection of a technology or network being better configured for power consumption, is also possible. Such network support could imply that there is some information stored in the network with regard to power saving aspects of the mobile terminal. For instance, for a first type of a mobile terminal, the first possible connection could be beneficial with regard to power saving aspects, whereas for a second type of a mobile terminal, the second possible connection could be beneficial. 
     In another embodiment, the mobile terminal is configured to receive network assistance in performing cell reselection towards the best suited cell with respect to power saving by receiving, from the network, signalled or provided information on most influencing factors for power consumption, such as a DRX cycle and a number of neighbour cells to be measured. There are numerous parameters influencing power consumption in the mobile terminal. In an embodiment, the mobile terminal is configured to receive, from the network, cell class information being relevant for power saving. E.g., the cells can be grouped by the network according to the power consumption they cause in the mobile terminal. In an example, cells are classified in one of ten classes, wherein, e.g., class 10 includes cells that cause particular low energy consumption and class 1 includes cells that cause particular high energy consumption. Due to such cell class information, the mobile terminal does not have to determine itself, which of the first or the second possible connection is to be preferred. Such determination could involve complex calculations, as there can be many parameters influencing power consumption. 
     In an embodiment, the controller is further configured to perform said connecting, in particular said cell reselection only, if one of the first signal strength value and the second signal strength value lies in the predetermined hysteresis range. 
     In this embodiment of the mobile terminal, it is taken into account that in case that the first signal strength value and the second signal strength value are not in the predetermined hysteresis range, there may be provided explicit requirements, for instance defined in a mobile communication standard, that specify how the mobile terminal has to be connected to the mobile network. However, if such explicit requirements are not present, the mobile terminal shall connect to the mobile network such that energy consumption in the mobile terminal is reduced. This aspect has already been addressed above. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the mobile terminal further comprise a first receiver configured to receive signalling information sent by a network entity of the mobile network, the signalling information including adjustment information related to a low power consumption configuration of a cell, to which the mobile terminal is currently associated. In this embodiment, the controller is further configured to adjust a connection setting in the mobile terminal for the low-power mode in dependence of the signalling information. 
     A network entity can be any element in a cellular network that is responsible or involved in building up a connection with a mobile terminal. In GSM this is typically a base station controller (BSC) or base station transmitter (BST), while in WCDMA it is a NodeB, but it can refer additionally to further entities within the network where information is present concerning neighbour cells of a respective cell and signal strength information preferably received from mobile terminals. 
     The aspect of grouping cells of a network or different networks with respect to their impact on power consumption within the mobile terminal was already outlined above. In an embodiment, the mobile terminal is configured to receive this knowledge via information provided in a broadcast of a serving cell. The information may be provided for the serving cell only. Such broadcast information can be limited to neighbour cells neighbouring the current serving cell and/or to especially suited cells that cause very low power consumption within the mobile terminal. Furthermore, the broadcast can be limited such that it only addresses terminals being interested in low power consumption rather than, e.g., fast mobility. The cell class information can be organized such that each cell is associated to a respective power indication value. Such values can be set by a higher network entity, such as by a RNC or, respectively, it can be calculated individually by each NodeB. Furthermore, a cell may comprise special settings for mobile terminals for low power consumption activity at the cost of reduced mobility. 
     This embodiment takes into account the recognition that the mobile terminal has a certain degree of freedom of how to be associated to a current cell. For instance, the current cell could define a minimum DRX cycle to which the mobile terminal has to be set. Besides such DRX cycle, a cell could define further parameters and variables that have to be considered by the mobile terminal for being connected to the cell. 
     In this embodiment, the mobile terminal receives information from the mobile network of how to be associated to the current cell such that the energy consumption in the mobile terminal is reduced. 
     It is preferred that, in the normal mode, the controller is configured to connect the mobile terminal to the mobile network through either the first or the second possible connection, whichever connection provides better radio conditions to the mobile terminal. 
     This embodiment has the advantage that the mobile terminal can be operated in two different modes. In the normal mode, the mobile terminal searches for a connection to a cell according to a known cell reselection criterion such that the most suitable radio conditions are ensured. This prior-art cell reselection does not assess the technology employed in the respective possible connection using a criterion of less energy consumption. 
     In this normal mode, therefore, the mobile terminal connects to the mobile network through such connection that provides the comparatively best radio conditions. The term radio conditions is used here to comprise one or more measurable parameters that are indicative of the transmission conditions of a communication channel used or to be used by the connection. Such measurable parameters are for instance a signal strength, an error rate of transmission, such as the bit or block error rate (BER), a signal-to-noise ratio, E b /N 0 , i.e., the ratio of energy per bit to noise power spectral density, or any other parameter. 
     For instance, the normal mode can be appropriate if the mobile terminal is moving and/or significant amount of data is transferred to the mobile terminal or from the mobile terminal via the mobile network, for instance during a phone call or during a download or upload of data. The normal mode can also be appropriate as a fall-back mode if in the low-power mode no difference in technology is detected. The connection that provides best radio conditions can be the connection that provides lower energy consumption in the mobile terminal, as an amplifier in the mobile terminal can be run at a lower amplification factor. However, it is to be noted that this mere selection according to the best radio conditions is as such known in the art and not considered by the inventors as forming a part of the present invention. 
     It is furthermore preferred that the mobile terminal operates in the normal mode, if the first signal strength value and the second signal strength value are not in the predetermined hysteresis range. 
     The other mode, the low-power mode, is advantageous, if the mobile terminal is stationary and if only very few data or no data is currently transferred to the mobile terminal or from the mobile terminal to a network entity. In this mode, the mobile terminal reduces its power consumption such that a long standby time is achieved by connecting to the mobile network through either the first or the second possible connection, whichever connection allows for lower energy consumption in the mobile terminal. 
     It is preferred that the mobile terminal is configured to be set either to the normal mode or to the low-power mode, in particular through an AT-command. 
     For instance, the selector identifies which of the first possible connection and the second possible connection allows for a longer Discontinuous Reception (DRX) Cycle than the other. A longer DRX cycle results in an increase of the total standby time of the mobile terminal. Alternatively or additionally, the selector performs identification of the low-power connection based on said power indication values named above, if available. 
     For instance, if the mobile terminal is connected with multiple core network (CN) domains via one node, the selector identifies the domain with the longest DRX cycle. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the mobile terminal further comprises a memory configured to store a list, the list naming one or more technology standards, according to which the mobile terminal is capable to operate. In this embodiment, the selector is preferentially configured to identify only such a connection of the first possible connection and the second possible connection that is a connection according to a technology named in the list. For instance, the list names technology standards from GSM DRX 9 down to GSM DRX 2 and from WCDMA DRX 9 down to WCDMA DRX 6, according to which the mobile terminal can operate. In an embodiment, a position of a certain technology standard named in the list identifies a preference of the certain technology standard. 
     In particular, the list stored in the memory can further comprise parameter information related to power consumption aspects for the low-power mode of operation of the mobile terminal associated with each technology standard named in the list. In this embodiment, the selector is preferentially configured to perform that identifying based on the parameter information. 
     For instance, the list can thus specify, which of the named technology standards allows for the lowest energy consumption in the mobile terminal. This can be implemented by a prioritizing list listing the technology standards in a certain order, for instance in a manner “WCDMA DRX 9 better than GSM DRX 9 better than WCDMA DRX 6” and so forth. In an example, the detector detects GSM DRX 9 as the first possible connection and WCDMA DRX 6 as the second possible connection. The selector consults the list stored in the memory and firstly recognizes that both the technology standard of the first possible connection and the technology standard of the second possible connection are named in the list. Generally spoken, a change from one connection to the other is thus possible. By consulting the list, the selector furthermore detects that GSM DRX 9 is better in terms of power saving aspects than WCDMA DRX 6. Thus, the selector would identify GSM DRX 9 and the controller would connect the mobile terminal through the identified possible connection GSM DRX 9 to the mobile network. 
     In a further preferred embodiment, the mobile terminal comprises a second receiver configured to receive a suggestions signal sent by a network entity of the mobile network, the suggestions signal indicating which of the first possible connection and the second possible connection is suggested by a network entity to be identified. In this embodiment, the selector is configured to identify the suggested possible connection. 
     Thus, the mobile terminal is supported by the mobile network in finding the best connection in terms of power saving aspects. This network support can be implemented either in addition or alternatively to the above named list stored in the memory of the mobile terminal. E.g., the network may indicate in the list for the serving cell and also for the neighbour cell, to which classification of power saving the respective cell belongs. Furthermore, as an alternative approach, the network only indicates the most favourable cell in its broadcast. 
     The first receiver and the second receiver must not be physically separated from each other but can be realized in a common receiver unit of the mobile terminal. 
     Considering that each cell reselection consumes additional power, the number of cell reselections performed for saving energy should be restricted to avoid a counterproductive effect on energy consumption. In a preferred embodiment the controller is further configured to change a connection of the mobile terminal to the mobile network to another of the possible connections, which is currently identified by the selector as causing less energy consumption in the mobile terminal in the low-power mode, only if a rate criterion is additionally fulfilled, the rate criterion requiring a rate of changes of the connection within a predetermined time span, during which the mobile terminal is in the low-power mode, to be smaller than a preset maximum rate of changes. In one implementation of this embodiment, the controller is configured to operate a timer on the basis of information on when cell reselection was executed. Operating the timer may comprise storing time information with regard to the last cell reselection. In a variant, operating the timer involves maintaining a list of time information entries, the list covering for example a given number of recent cell reselections including the last one. The list may be maintained following a FIFO (first in first out) scheme. Controlling the operation of the timer in particular may be performed using time information with regard to (only) those cell reselections, which were triggered by an expected improvement in power consumption. These embodiments thus allow avoiding that in fact more power is consumed due to the additional power requirements of frequent cell reselections. Of course, this requires that such cell reselections are identified by the controller. 
     The timer may be implemented in any known manner. A simple variant is to store a constant value of time that needs to elapse before a next cell reselection triggered with the aim of reducing power consumption may be executed. 
     In a preferred embodiment the controller is configured to take into account how much improvement in terms of power consumption can be achieved by a given option of a cell reselection. At least two approaches are possible for implementing this functionality:
         Prospective approach: the amount of additional energy that needs to be invested is either known or estimated. It is calculated how long the cell connection needs to be maintained after the cell reselection until the cell reselection amortized power-wise. This duration is taken as the minimum timer value.   Retrospective approach: after a cell reselection is done it is measured, calculated or estimated how much energy is saved since the cell reselection and not sooner as this amount has leveled the additional amount of energy spent for the cell reselection a new cell reselection is allowed.       

     According to a second aspect of the present invention, the technical object is achieved by a method of operating a mobile terminal for participating in a mobile network. The mobile terminal must be configured to be operated in a normal mode of operation, which involves a transmission of payload data, and in a low-power mode of operation, which does not involve a transmission of payload data. The method comprises:
         detecting presence of a first possible connection to the mobile network and a second possible connection to the mobile network, the first possible connection being a connection of a first technology and the second possible connection being a connection of a second technology,   identifying which of the first possible connection and the second possible connection causes less energy consumption in the mobile terminal in its low-power mode of operation than the other due to a difference between the first and second technology, and   connecting the mobile terminal to the mobile network through the possible connection identified as causing less energy consumption in the low-power mode.       

     Principally, the operating method of the second aspect of the present invention shares the advantages of the mobile terminal of the first aspect of the present invention. In particular, the operating method has preferred embodiments that correspond to embodiments of the mobile terminal described above. 
     For instance, in a preferred embodiment, the operating method additionally comprises a step of detecting that one of a first value indicative of a received-signal strength and associated with the first possible connection and of at least one second value indicative of a received-signal strength associated with at least one second possible connection lies in a predetermined hysteresis range with respect to the respective other value indicative of the received-signal strength. It is also preferred that the method comprises a step of performing a cell reselection by connecting the mobile terminal to the mobile network through the identified possible connection. 
     The step of identifying can also comprise receiving of a suggestion signal sent by a network entity of the mobile network, the suggestion signal indicating which of the first possible connection and the second possible connection is suggested by the network entity to be identified. 
     According to a third aspect of the present invention, the technical object is achieved by a first computer program for operating a mobile terminal, the first computer program comprising computer code means for causing the mobile terminal to carry out the steps of the method of the second aspect of the present invention, when the first computer program is run on a computer controlling the mobile terminal. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the technical object is achieved by a network entity of a mobile network, the network entity comprising a transmitter configured to send a suggestion signal to a mobile terminal, the suggestion signal identifying to the mobile terminal, which of a possible first connection of a first technology and a possible second connection of a second technology, through each of which the mobile terminal can be connected to the mobile network, causes less energy consumption in the mobile terminal in its low-power mode of operation, which does not involve a transmission of payload data, due to a difference between the first and second technology. 
     In the outcome, the network entity of the fourth aspect of the present invention, which can be, for instance, a base station or a network controller, allows a mobile terminal participating in a mobile network to identify one of a multitude of present possible connections to the mobile network that causes lowest energy consumption in the mobile terminal in its low-power mode due to a difference between the first and second technology. Therefore, the transmission of a simple signal can allow a plurality of mobile terminals to reduce their respective energy consumption by selecting the connection of that technology, which implies the lowest energy consumption in the low-power mode. 
     The transmitter of the network entity can further be configured to send signalling information, e.g., via dedicated channel or broadcast, to a mobile terminal, the signalling information including adjustment information related to a low-power-consumption configuration of a cell, to which a mobile terminal is currently associated, allowing the mobile terminal to adjust a connection setting for its low-power mode of operation in dependence of the signalling information. It has been described above with respect to the first aspect of the invention that a mobile terminal can be assisted by the network in selecting the low-power connection by receiving certain information from the network, i.e. power indication values. It shall be understood that, in an embodiment, the transmitter and the network entity are configured to generate and send such certain information. For instance, the network entity is configured to group cells in accordance with their associated power indication values for the low-power mode of operation of a mobile terminal. 
     It has already been described above, that a mobile terminal situated in a certain cell still has some degree of freedom of how to actually be associated to the cell. The mobile terminal can thus be associated to the cell and operate according to different adjustment settings, wherein each of the different adjustment setting causes a respective energy consumption in the low-power mode. With the signalling information transmitted by the network entity, the mobile terminal is suggested to choose such an adjustment setting that causes lowest energy consumption in the mobile terminal in the low-power mode. 
     Therefore, the above described advantages with respect to power saving aspects in a mobile terminal can in particular be achieved by a mobile network system comprising a mobile terminal according to the first aspect of the present invention and a network entity according to the fourth aspect of the present invention. 
     In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, the technical object is achieved by a method of operating a network entity, the method comprising the step of:
         sending a suggestion signal to a mobile terminal, the suggestion signal indicating to the mobile terminal, which of a first possible connection of a first technology and of a second possible connection of a second technology, through each of which the mobile terminal can be connected to the mobile network, causes less energy consumption in the mobile terminal in its low-power mode that does not involve a transmission of payload data, due to a difference between the first and second technology.       

     The operating method of the fifth aspect of the present invention shares the advantages of the network entity of the fourth aspect of the present invention. In particular, it has preferred embodiments that correspond to the preferred embodiments of the network entity described above. 
     According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the technical object is achieved by a second computer program for operating a network entity of a mobile network, the second computer program comprising program code means for causing the network entity to carry out the step of the method of the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the second computer program is run on the computer controlling the network entity. 
     The first and the second computer program of the third and the sixth aspect of the present invention may each be stored/distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium, or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware, but may each also be distributed in other forms, such as via the Internet or other wired or wireless telecommunications systems. 
     In the description above, only a first and a second possible connection have been named. It shall be understood, however, that more than two possible connections to the mobile network can be available for the mobile terminal and that the connection allowing for lowest power consumption in the mobile terminal in its low-power mode can be chosen among this plurality of possible connections. 
     The mobile terminal is advantageously a device that is not or only rarely moved and is supposed to operate for a comparatively long time. For instance, the mobile terminal can thus be a battery driven metering application device, such as a gas/water/electricity etc. metering application or a machine-to-machine (M2M) application device, operating at a fixed location and being designed for minimized energy consumption. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. 
       In the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1 : shows schematically and exemplary a representation of a mobile terminal in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and a representation of a network entity in accordance with the third aspect of the invention, 
         FIG. 2 : shows exemplary a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of an operating method for a mobile terminal in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, and 
         FIG. 3 : shows exemplary a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of an operating method for a network entity in accordance with the fifth aspect of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a typical network situation where a mobile terminal  100  has the possibility to connect to a mobile network via a network entity  200  through at least one of two connections  210 ,  220 . 
     For connecting to the mobile network, the mobile terminal  100  is equipped with a coupler  110 . It is illustrated that the mobile terminal  100  is located in an overlapping area of two mobile network cells A and B, wherein the first possible connection  210  is associated with the first mobile network cell A and the second possible connection  220  is associated with the second mobile network cell B. The two mobile network cells A and B can be operated by the network entity  200 , which can be, for instance, a base station or a NodeB. The network entity  200  can be one of a plurality of network entities being controlled by a radio network controller (RNC), which is not shown in  FIG. 1 . Such RNC could be part of a UTRAN. 
     The mobile terminal  100  connects to the mobile network, such that energy consumption in the mobile terminal  100  is reduced within the scope of possible connections. The mobile terminal comprises a detector  120  (DET) that detects presence of the first possible connection  210  and the second possible connection  220 . For instance the first possible connection  210  is a GSM connection and the second possible connection a UMTS connection. However, both possible connections  210  and  220  can also be of the same technology standard, for instance both connections  210 ,  220  can be UMTS connections, wherein the first connection  210  is a WCDMA DRX 6 and the second connection  220  a WCDMA DRX 9 connection. 
     The detector  120  not only detects that two possible connections  210 ,  220  are present, but also that at least one of a first received-signal strength value associated with the first possible connection  210  and a second received-signal strength value associated with the second possible connection  220  lies in a predetermined hysteresis range with respect to the respective other received-signal strength value. The predetermined hysteresis range can be stored in data storage means  122  of the detector  120 . According to prior art, a mobile terminal being associated to a current cell offering a certain signal strength does not change the currently associated cell, as long as the offered signal of an alternative possible connection is within a hysteresis range of the received-signal strength in order to avoid ping-pong effects, that is to say: in order to avoid that a mobile terminal frequently changes its current connection to a mobile network only due to insignificantly enhanced radio conditions, as such frequent changes of a current connection causes high energy consumption. 
     The mobile terminal is configured to be operated in a normal mode of operation, which involves a transmission of payload data, and in a low-power mode of operation, which does not involve a transmission of payload data. The normal mode of operation may involve the transmission of payload data in the form of either voice data in a point-to-point circuit-switched connection, or packet data in a packet-switched connection, or both. The low-power mode typically is either the sleep mode (only), or the idle mode (only), but comprises preferably both, the sleep mode and the idle mode. Both modes are as such known in the art and have been discussed to some detail further above. 
     In accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the mobile terminal  100  comprises a selector  140  that identifies which of the first possible connection  210  and the second possible connection  220  causes or, respectively, allows for less energy consumption in the mobile terminal than the other in its low-power mode of operation due to a difference in technology. After the selector  140  has identified the “low power consumption” connection, a controller  160  of the mobile terminal  100  connects the mobile terminal to the mobile network through the identified possible connection, that is: either through the connection  210  or through the connection  220 . 
     As the first possible connection  210  and the second possible connection  220  can each be associated to a respective mobile network cell, the controller is also configured to perform a cell reselection by connecting a mobile terminal  100  to the mobile network through the identified possible connection. 
     Accordingly, the mobile terminal  100  can be associated to the first cell A. The detector  120  detects that the first received-signal strength value provided by the first cell A lies within the predetermined hysteresis range that is stored in data storage means  122 . The detector  120  furthermore detects that the second possible connection  220  through cell B is present and available. The selector  140  is notified about the two possible connections  210 ,  220 . It identifies which of the first and the second possible connections  210 ,  220  allows for lower energy consumption in the mobile terminal  100 . This identified connection may either be connection  210  or connection  220 . The controller then connects the terminal  100  to the network through the identified connection. 
     The mobile terminal can further be equipped with a first receiver  170  (REC-1) that can receive signalling information  172  sent by the network entity  200  of the mobile network. For sending such signal, the network entity  200  comprises a transmitter  230 . 
     The signalling information  172  includes information related to low-power consumption configuration of a cell for a low-power mode of operation of the mobile terminal in connection with this cell, to which a mobile terminal is currently associated. The first receiver  170  can transmit such information to the controller  160 , which can adjust a connection setting in the mobile terminal  100  for the low-power mode in dependence of that transmitted information. For instance, the mobile terminal  100  has several possibilities to camp on a mobile network cell, for instance the network cell A or the network cell B. Within in the scope of such camping possibilities, energy consumption in the mobile terminal  100  can vary. Therefore, the network entity  200  sends signalling information  172  to the mobile terminal  100  that allows the mobile terminal  100  to deduct such settings thereof that lead to a reduced energy consumption in the low-power mode of operation of the mobile terminal  100 . 
     The mobile terminal  100  can also comprise a second receiver  190  (REC-2) that receives a suggestion signal  192  sent by the network entity  200  of the mobile network. The suggestion signal  192  indicates which of the first possible connection and the second possible connection is suggested by the network entity to be identified. The selector  140  can simply identify the suggested possible connection and in the outcome, the mobile terminal  100  connects itself to the suggested/identified possible connection. Thus, an indication of a cell or a carrier to be selected by the mobile terminal, for instance a low power consuming application, can be signalled by the mobile network. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the mobile terminal  100  comprises a memory  180  that stores a list  182 . The list  182  names one or more technology standards, according to which the mobile terminal  100  is capable to operate. If the detector  120  detects that the first possible connection  210  of the first technology standard and the second possible connection  220  of the second technology standard are present, the selector  140  identifies only such connection of the first possible connections  210  and the second possible connection  220  that is a connection according to a technology standard named in the list  182 . 
     The list  182  furthermore comprises parameter information related to power consumption aspects for the low-power mode of operation of the mobile terminal, associated with each technology standard named in the list  182 . Such information can be, for instance, decoded in a prioritizing list that stores information like “GSM DRX 9 better than WCDMA DRX 9 better than WCDMA DRX 6”. For instance, if the detector  120  detects that the first possible connection  210  is a WCDMA DRX 6 connection and the second possible connection  220  is a GSM DRX 9 connection, the selector  140  would firstly determine that both technology standards are stored in the list  182  of the memory  180  and would further recognize that the second possible connection  220  is to be preferred (identified), since GSM DRX 9 allows for less energy consumption in the mobile terminal  100  than the WCDMA DRX 6. 
     As mentioned, the mobile terminal  100  can operate in the normal mode and in the low-power mode. In the normal mode, the controller connects the mobile terminal  100  to the mobile network through either the first  210  or the second possible connection  220 , whichever connection provides better radio conditions to the mobile terminal  100 . For instance, the mobile terminal  100  operates in the normal mode if the two signal strength values associated with the first possible connection  210  and the second possible  220 , in comparison with each other, are not in the predetermined hysteresis range. Another case for the normal mode can be a situation where the mobile terminal  100  transmits a significant amount of data to the mobile network or, respectively, receives a significant amount of data from the mobile network, for instance during a phone call, a download or an upload. In this case, good radio conditions have to be present in order to ensure safe and fast data transfer. 
     In the low-power mode, the controller connects the mobile terminal through the identified (low-power consumption) connection. The low-power mode applies, if the mobile terminal  100  is not involved in a payload data transfer process. 
     The mobile terminal  100  can be set to either the normal mode or the low-power mode, in particular through an AT-command. 
     In view of the aforesaid, an advantageous application case of the mobile terminal  100  is a metering application device powered by battery. Concerning in particular a metering application, a long standby time is a key performance feature. Such long standby time is achieved by the mobile terminal  100  as it is connected to that connection of a plurality of possible connections that allows for lowest energy consumption in the mobile terminal  100  in the low-power mode. However, low power consumption can certainly also be advantageous for an application being constantly connected to an electric grid. 
     It shall be understood that the block diagram representation of the mobile terminal  100  primary serves for an evident description of the terminal  100 . It does not relate to any geometrical or structural relation between components of an actual realization of a mobile terminal in accordance with the invention. E.g., the first receiver  170  and the second receiver  190  can be realized as a common receiver. Controller  160 , detector  120  and selector  140  can be integrated in a common integrated circuit. It is furthermore possible that the selector  140  and the memory  180  are installed in an application device (not shown) and that receivers  170  and  190 , controller  160 , detector  120 , selector  140  and coupler  110  are installed on a radio module (not shown) that is coupled to the application device via an interface and arranged separately from the application device. In such case, figuratively spoken, the controller  160 , integrated in the module, can contain system determination data and can effect cell reselection. The selector coupled to the memory  180  makes the decision, through which connection the mobile terminal is to be connected, and instructs the controller  160  correspondingly via the interface (not shown). 
       FIG. 2  exemplary shows a flow chart illustrating an embodiment  400  of an operating method of operating a mobile terminal for participating in a mobile network. For instance, the mobile terminal  100  depicted in  FIG. 1  can be operated according to the method  400  depicted in  FIG. 2 . The mobile terminal is preferably configured to be operated in a normal mode of operation, which involves a transmission of payload data, and in a low-power mode of operation, which does not involve a transmission of payload data. 
     In a first step  410 , a presence of a first possible connection to the mobile network and a second possible connection to the mobile network is detected, the first possible connection being a connection of a first technology and the second possible connection being a connection of a second technology. 
     In a second step  420 , it is identified which of the first possible connection and the second possible connection causes less energy consumption in the mobile terminal in its low-power mode of operation than the other due to a difference between the first and second technology. In a third step  430 , the mobile terminal is connected to the mobile network through the identified possible connection. 
     In a similar manner,  FIG. 3  shows exemplary a flow chart illustrating an embodiment  600  of an operating method of operating a network identity. Such network identity can be the network identity  200  depicted in  FIG. 1  that comprises a transmitter  230 . 
     The method  600  comprises the step  610  of sending a suggesting signal to a mobile terminal, the suggestion signal identifying to the mobile terminal, which of a possible first connection and a possible second connection, through each of which the mobile terminal can be connected to the mobile network, causes less energy consumption in the mobile terminal in its low-power mode of operation. The mobile terminal can be a mobile terminal like the mobile terminal  100  depicted in  FIG. 1  comprising the second receiver  190  for receiving such suggestion signal.