Abstract:
A network scanning method in a mobile station and the mobile station using the method are disclosed, which can efficiently scan a network intended to be selected. The method includes: requesting a network selection, and scanning frequencies in an order starting from the highest receive-level of each frequency; detecting a carrier having network information during the scanning, and acquiring the network information; and sorting carrier frequencies and non-carrier frequencies of respective networks, based on the acquired network information. The frequency scanning is performed only for carrier frequencies. Therefore, corresponding services are provided rapidly to users.

Description:
CLAIMS OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to an application entitled “METHOD FOR SCANNING NETWORK IN MOBILE STATION AND THE MOBILE STATION USING THE SAME,” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on May 4, 2007 and assigned Serial No. 2007-0043324, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to mobile communication technology, and more particularly, to a method that efficiently scans a network intended to be selected by a mobile station, and to a mobile station using the method. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In general, a mobile station (MS) selects a network by undergoing a public land mobile network (PLMN) selection procedure, for example. The PLMN selection procedure is disclosed in detail in a standard specification proposed by 3 rd  Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), i.e., “3GPP SPEC 23.122.” 
         [0006]    The mobile station performs such a network selection procedure including, but not limited to, any of the cases where a mobile station initially powers up; a mobile station has lost its service coverage and is restoring said coverage; a PLMN is searched during a roaming operation; a user manually selects a specific PLMN. 
         [0007]    To perform the network selection procedure, the mobile station must first scan to determine which networks are currently on the air. For example, to recognize which PLMNs are on the air, the mobile station must scan for a Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH) carrier frequency and read specific information included in a corresponding carrier. 
         [0008]    Since, initially, a mobile station is only able to recognize a receive-level of a corresponding frequency, the mobile station usually reads frequency information in an order beginning with a highest receive-level of the frequency. 
         [0009]    However, all of the frequencies are not BCCH carriers and do not allow information to be provided. Therefore, the mobile station must scan all of the frequencies on the air to determine available networks. Such a conventional method is disadvantageous because it wastes electrical power and incurs long wait times for users. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides a first method that can efficiently scan a network intended to be selected by a mobile station and a first mobile station using the first method. 
         [0011]    The present invention further provides a second method that can scan for only BCCH carrier frequencies while skipping non-BCCH carrier frequencies in a mobile station, and provides a second mobile station using the second method. 
         [0012]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for scanning networks in a mobile station including: requesting a network selection, and scanning frequencies in an order starting from a highest receive-level of a scanned frequency; detecting a carrier having a network information during the scanning, and acquiring the network information; and sorting carrier frequencies and non-carrier frequencies of respective networks, based on the acquired network information. 
         [0013]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for scanning networks in a mobile station including: requesting a selection of a public land mobile network (PLMN), and scanning frequencies in an order beginning with a highest receive-level of the frequency; acquiring network information included in a first received broadcast control channel (BCCH) channel; determining whether a PLMN using the first received BCCH carrier frequency is a PLMN intended to be searched, based on the acquired network information; if a PLMN determined using the first BCCH carrier frequency is a PLMN intended to be searched, selecting the PLMN, otherwise sorting non-BCCH carrier frequencies based on the acquired network information; and then performing scanning frequencies while skipping the sorted non-BCCH carrier frequencies. 
         [0014]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a mobile station comprises: a wireless communication unit for transmission and reception of a radio frequency (RF) signal; and a controller that scans frequencies using the wireless communication unit to select a network, wherein, the controller only scans carrier frequencies of networks. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    The features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a view illustrating an example configuration of a mobile station according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for scanning a network in a mobile station according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for scanning a network in a mobile station according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. For the purposes of clarity and simplicity, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and structures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a view illustrating an example of a configuration of a mobile station according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0021]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the mobile station  100  is configured to include a wireless communication unit  110  for transmission and reception of a radio frequency (RF) signal, and a controller  120  for selection of a network by scanning frequencies through the use of the wireless communication unit  110  to select a network, wherein the controller  120  only scans carrier frequencies of networks. 
         [0022]    In an alternative embodiment, the wireless communication unit  110  is implemented with an RF transceiver. In a further alternative embodiment, the wireless communication unit  110  includes a short-range wireless communication module that supports at least one of Infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication and Bluetooth communication, etc. 
         [0023]    The controller  120  is preferably implemented with a mobile station modem (MSM). In another alternative embodiment, the controller  120  includes a codec for coding and decoding signals, such as multimedia signals, and an internal memory with a predetermined capacity. 
         [0024]    The controller  120  scans frequencies using the wireless communication unit  110  whenever a network selection is requested. For example, the network selection is requested, among others, whenever: the mobile station  100  initially powers up; communication by the mobile station  100  is disconnected from a network and the mobile station attempts to reestablish communication with the network; a specific network is searched while using a specific service; and a user selects a specific network. 
         [0025]    The controller  120  decodes the respective frequencies when scanning them, and reads information included in the decoded result. For example, when a carrier (for, example, BCCH carrier) frequency of a first network is read, the controller  120  acquires network information included in the read result. 
         [0026]    The network information includes at least one of system information type  3  (SI 3 ) and system information type  4  (SI 4 ). The network information may include system information type  1  (SI 1 ). 
         [0027]    The SI 3  and SI 4  include network identification information (for example, local area identification) that_serves to identify networks, such as a mobile country code (MCC) or mobile network code (MNC). The controller  120  can read what frequency is associated with which network, based on the SI 3  or SI 4 . That is, the controller  120  can determine whether a corresponding network is a desired network based on the SI 3  or SI 4 . 
         [0028]    The SI 1  includes cell channel information (for example, a cell channel description), such as absolute radio frequency channel number (ARFCN) of frequencies that are used as traffic channels in a corresponding cell. Therefore, the controller  120  can read frequency information of a traffic channel, i.e., AFRCN, from the SI 1 , in which the traffic channel is used in a cell employing a network carrier. The controller  120  can sort carrier frequencies of networks and non-carrier frequencies, based on the SI 1 . 
         [0029]    While scanning frequencies of networks, the controller  120  skips the non-carrier frequencies. The term “to skip” includes meanings that are to omit a decoding when scanning frequencies as well as to bypass a frequency scanning itself. 
         [0030]    The controller  120  can skip the frequency scanning for non-carrier frequencies of networks (for example, a traffic channel frequency). 
         [0031]    In an alternative embodiment, the mobile station  100  further includes an input unit  130  for inputting user&#39;s commands, a display unit  140  for displaying information, and a storage unit  150  for storing data. 
         [0032]    The input unit  130  can be implemented with any of a keypad and a touch pad (touch screen). If the input unit  130  is implemented by a touch pad, it will be appreciated that the touch pad serves as the input unit  130  and the display pad  140  simultaneously. 
         [0033]    In an alternative embodiment the storage unit  150  is configured to include both a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory. The storage unit  150  may further include a movable disk function allowing data to be easily and rapidly exchanged with other devices. 
         [0034]    Although it is not shown, the mobile station  100  may further include units to provide additional functions, including but not limited to: a storage medium inserting portion that receives an external storage media, such as a memory card, for storage of data thereon; a camera module; a broadcast receiving module; an audio signal outputting unit, such as a speaker; an audio signal input unit, such as a microphone; a connection terminal for exchanging data with external digital devices; a power terminal; and a digital sound source reproduction module, such as an MP3 module. 
         [0035]    With the spread of digital convergence, although the mobile communication terminals are too various to list their features in this description, it will be easily appreciated to those who skilled in the art that other units equivalent to the above-listed units may be further included in the mobile station  100  according to the present invention. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for scanning a network in a mobile station, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , when a selection of a PLMN is requested (S 210 ), the controller  120  scans frequencies using the wireless communication unit  110  (S 220 ). Scanning frequencies is performed in an order starting from the highest receive-level of the frequency. The controller  120  can skip the frequency scanning for non-BCCH carrier frequencies, such as a common call channel. 
         [0038]    The controller  120  decodes received signals through scanned frequencies (S 230 ). The controller  120  determines whether a corresponding frequency is a BCCH carrier based on the decoded information (S 240 ). Steps S 220  to S 240  are repeatedly performed until the corresponding frequency is a BCCH carrier at step S 240 . 
         [0039]    If the corresponding frequency is a BCCH carrier at step S 240 , the controller  120  acquires an SI 1  included in the BCCH carrier (S 250 ). The controller  120  sorts the BCCH carrier frequencies and non-BCCH carrier frequencies, based on information in the SI 1  (S 260 ). 
         [0040]    After that, the controller  120  continues scanning frequencies, while skipping non-BCCH carrier frequencies, (S 270 ). 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for scanning a network in a mobile station, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , when a selection of a PLMN is requested (S 310 ), the controller  120  scans frequencies, in an order starting from the highest receive-level of the frequency, using the wireless communication unit  110  (S 320 ). The controller  120  can skip the frequency scanning for non-carrier frequencies, such as a common call channel. 
         [0043]    The controller  120  decodes read frequencies (S 330 ). The controller  120  determines whether a corresponding frequency is a BCCH carrier based on the decoded information (S 340 ). Steps S 320  to S 340  are repeatedly performed until the corresponding frequency is a BCCH carrier at step S 340 . 
         [0044]    If the corresponding frequency is a BCCH carrier at step S 340 , the controller  120  acquires network information included in the BCCH carrier (S 350 ). The network information may include at least one of SI 3  and SI 4 . The network information also includes SI 1 . 
         [0045]    After acquiring the network information, the controller  120  determines whether a PLMN of the corresponding frequency is a PLMN intended to be searched (S 360 ). Here, the PLMN intended to be searched refers to an available PLMN or a specific PLMN, i.e., a PLMN that is designated by a user or is designated by default. The controller  120  can determine whether a corresponding PLMN is a PLMN to be searched, based on network identification information, such as MCC and MNC, which is included in the SI 3  or the SI 4 . 
         [0046]    If a corresponding PLMN is determined to be a PLMN to be searched at S 360 , the controller  120  selects a corresponding network (S 370 ). After completing the selection of the PLMN, general registration procedures etc. are performed. 
         [0047]    However, if a corresponding PLMN is not a PLMN to be searched at S 360 , the controller  120  sorts the BCCH carrier frequencies and non-BCCH carrier frequencies (S 380 ). That is, the controller  120  can sort carrier frequencies of networks and non-carrier frequencies based on cell channel information, such as ARFCN of frequencies that are used for traffic channels included in the SI 1 . 
         [0048]    After that, the controller  120  continues scanning frequencies (S 370 ), until it reads a PLMN intended to be searched, while skipping non-BCCH carrier frequencies. 
         [0049]    As described above, in all the embodiments of the present invention, only carrier frequencies of networks are scanned to select a network, and non-carrier frequencies are not scanned, thereby providing services rapidly and enhancing users&#39; convenience. 
         [0050]    In addition, the present invention can reduce frequency-scanning time, thereby decreasing the current consumption of a mobile station and extending its wait time. 
         [0051]    Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be understood that many variations and modifications of the basic inventive concept herein described, which may occur to those skilled in the art, will still fall within the sprit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.