Abstract:
A radio frequency (RF) receiver that reduces the total time required to generate communication channel received signal strength estimates, e.g., RSSI, RSRP, etc., for a plurality of communication channels. A received RF signal may be processed in the frequency domain to generate a power density spectrum for an RF spectrum frequency range that encompasses a plurality of communication channels. A communication channel received signal strength estimate may be generated based on the generated power density spectrum for each communication channels within the RF spectrum frequency range. Receiver RF bandwidth limitations may be overcome by dividing the RF spectrum frequency range into segments which may be separately processed by the RF receiver to produce communication channel received signal strength estimates for the communication channels within each RF spectrum segment. The respective RF spectrum segments may be processed in series, and/or in parallel, depending on the RF receiver configuration embodiment employed.

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/954,940, “DECREASING UE MEASUREMENT TIME,” filed by Yoni Perets and Javier Frydman on Aug. 9, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     A cellular communication network allows individual cellular radio frequency (RF) transceivers, or user equipment, to establish a connection to the cellular communication network via one of many cellular communication network base stations. User equipment may periodically generate a received signal strength estimate, for example, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or a reference symbol received power (RSRP), for a communication channel signal received from a base station. Such generated received signal strength estimates may be communicated from a user equipment device to a cellular base station for use by the cellular base station in, for example, handing off a connection with the user equipment device to another base station to facilitate mobility and/or as part of transmit power control (TPC) process that reduces interference between transmitting devices by coordinating the transmission power of user equipment devices transmitting within a common transmission area. 
     Conventionally, a received signal strength estimate is measured by a user equipment device by tuning a receiver within the user equipment device to a channel and ascertaining the signal strength for the tuned channel. Using such techniques, if a received signal strength estimate is needed for multiple channels, a user equipment device sequentially tunes the user equipment device receiver to each respective channel and ascertains the signal strength for each respective channel for which the receiver is tuned. Unfortunately, the process of tuning a user equipment device receiver to a desired channel is a relatively resource and time intensive process compared to the process of measuring a received signal strength of the tuned channel. Therefore, using such conventional techniques, producing received signal strength values, such as an RSSI and an RSRP, for channels within 20 MHz of bandwidth with a channel raster of 200 kHz requires 100× more time than would be required to generate a received signal strength for a single channel. The processing time required to generate received signal strength values for multiple channels may be further increased in emerging communications standards, e.g., 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards, such as Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), in which multiple access is achieved by defining user equipment channels that use non-contiguous frequencies distributed over a relatively wide frequency band. 
     Hence, anted exists for approaches that reduce the processing time needed fora user equipment device to generate measures of received signal strength for multiple communication channels. 
     SUMMARY 
     A radio frequency (RF) receiver reduces the total time required to generate communication channel received signal strength estimates, e.g., RSSI, RSRP, etc., for a plurality of communication channels. A received RF signal may be processed in the frequency domain to generate a power density spectrum for an RF spectrum frequency range that encompasses a plurality of communication channels. A communication channel received signal strength estimate may be generated based on the generated power density spectrum for communication channels within the RF spectrum frequency range. Receiver RF bandwidth limitations may be overcome by dividing the RF spectrum frequency range into segments which may be separately processed by the RF receiver to produce communication channel received signal strength estimates for the communication channels within each RF spectrum segment. The respective RF spectrum segments may be processed in series, and/or in parallel, depending on the RF receiver configuration embodiment employed. 
     One example embodiment of the described user equipment for use on a cellular communication network may include, a receiver front end that receives a bandwidth that includes a plurality of communication channels, a power density spectrum estimation module that generates a power density spectrum for the communication channels received over the bandwidth, and a channel signal strength estimation module that generates a measure of channel signal strength for each of the plurality of communication channels based on the power density spectrum. 
     Another embodiment of the described user equipment for use on a cellular communication network may include, a plurality of receivers, and each receiver may include a receiver front end that receives a bandwidth that includes a plurality of communication channels, a power density spectrum estimation module that generates a power density spectrum for the communication channels received over the bandwidth, and a channel signal strength estimation module that generates a measure of channel signal strength for each of the plurality of communication channels based on the power density spectrum, in which each of the plurality of receivers is configured to receive and process a different bandwidth. 
     One example embodiment of a method of generating measures of channel signal strength for channel signals received by user equipment on a cellular communication network may include, receiving a bandwidth that includes a plurality of communication channels, generating a power density spectrum for the communication channels received over the bandwidth, and generating a measure of channel signal strength for each of the plurality of communication channels based on the power density spectrum. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments of an RF receiver with improved communication channel received signal strength estimation capability will be described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like numerals designate like elements, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a first example of an RF receiver with improved communication channel received signal strength estimation capability; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a second example of an RF receiver with improved communication channel received signal strength estimation capability; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a third example of an RF receiver with improved communication channel received signal strength estimation capability; 
         FIG. 4  is a plot of an example of a first power density spectrum for use in describing operation of the first example of an RF receiver with improved communication channel received signal strength estimation capability, as described with respect to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a plot of an example of a second power density spectrum for use in describing operation of the second and third examples of an RF receiver with improved communication channel received signal strength estimation capability, as described with respect to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a flow-chart of a process example for generating communication channel received signal strength estimates using an RF receiver as described above with respect to  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows a flow-chart of a process example for generating a power density spectrum data for an RF spectrum segment; and 
         FIG. 8  shows a flow-chart of a process example for generating received signal strength estimates based on the power density spectrum data generated for an RF spectrum segment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a system level block diagram of a first example of a cellular radio frequency (RF) transceiver, or user equipment, with a receiver that includes the described communication channel received signal strength estimation capability. As shown in  FIG. 1 , RF transceiver  100  may include an RF antenna  102 , an RF interface  104 , a processor  106  and device components  108 . RF interface  104  may include a transmitter/receiver switch  110 , a low noise amplifier  120 , a transmitter  112 , a receiver  114  and a digital controller module  140 . Receiver  114  may include an RF filter  122 , a down-conversion module  124 , a local oscillator  126 , an amplifier  130 , an analog-to-digital converter  132 , a power density spectrum estimation module  134 , a demodulation module  136 , and a channel signal strength estimation module  138 . In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , RF filter  122 , down-conversion module  124 , local oscillator  126 , amplifier  130 , and analog-to-digital converter  132 , may be referred to collectively as an example embodiment of a receiver front end. 
     Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , in a typical RF transceiver, device components  108  may include features such as a device memory, a rechargeable battery, and a user interface which may include a display, a keyboard, a speaker and/or microphone and a data interface unit. Further, processor  106  may execute numerous signal analysis processes that may be used to generate and manage control parameters used by processor  106  to control operation of transmitter  112  and receiver  114 . 
     In operation as a transmitter, processor  106  may receive from device components  108 , for example, digitized voice data generated by a local user via a microphone and voice digitizer included in device components  108 . Processor  106  may generate and pass to transmitter  112  a digital voice data stream and/or a digital data stream based on input received from device components  108 . Processor  106  may also pass to transmitter  112  transmission control data generated by control processes executed by processor  106 . For example, such control data may allow transmitter  112  to generate and transmit, via antenna  102 , an RF signal at a predetermined frequency and power level containing the data provided by processor  106  to transmitter  112 . 
     In operation as a receiver, processor  106  may receive from demodulator  136  a demodulated data stream containing, for example, digitized voice data and/or digitized data received by RF transmission from a remote transmitter, or base station, and may receive from channel signal strength estimation module  138  one or more channel received signal strength estimates. Processor  106  may pass the digitized voice/data stream to device components  108  which may process the digital voice data using a digital-to-analog converter and may use the generated analog signal to drive a speaker within the user interface and/or may direct the digital data to an appropriate data destination. Further, processor  106  may communicate with digital controller module  140  to provide phase adjustment, e.g., phase lock loop information, to local oscillator  126  and to provide automatic gain control information to amplifier  130 . In one example embodiment, processor  106  may process the channel signal strength estimates received from channel signal strength estimation module  138  to produce, for example, an RSSI value or an RSRP value for those channels for which channel signal strength estimates were received. 
     As described above, components in receiver  114  may support the efficient generation of channel received signal strength estimates. Specifically, RF filter  122  may be configured to pass a frequency range that includes a plurality of channels, power density spectrum estimation module  134  may be configured to generate a power density spectrum for the frequency range passed by RF filter  122 , and channel signal strength estimation module  138  may be configured to generate a channel signal strength estimate for each channel within the frequency range passed by RF filter  122 . Further, in at least one example embodiment, processor  106  may be configured to generate one or more high level channel signal strength parameters, for example, an RSSI value or an RSRP value, based on the channel signal strength estimates generated by channel signal strength estimation module  138 . 
     For example, in operation as a receiver, low noise amplifier  120  may receive an RF signal from antenna  102  via transmission/receiver switch  110 . Low noise amplifier  140  may amplify the received signal by a predetermined gain and may pass the amplified signal to RF filter  122 . 
     RF filter  122  may be configured to pass a frequency range with a maximum user equipment bandwidth, Ue_Bw, that may represent the maximum bandwidth that may be passed by RF filter  122 . The frequency range passed by RF filter  122  may include multiple communication channels, as described in greater detail below and, therefore, may pass to down-conversion module  124  a filtered RF signal that includes frequency components for multiple communication channels. 
     Down-conversion module  124  may down-convert the received filtered RF signal using a local oscillator signal having a frequency that retains communication channel frequency components and having a phase controlled by a controller such as a digital controller module  140  based on phase locked loop control parameters received from processor  106 , and may pass the down-converted signal to amplifier  130 . 
     Amplifier  130  may amplify the down-converted signal based on automatic gain control signals received from digital control module  140  based on control parameters received from processor  106 , and may pass the amplified, down-converted signal to analog-to-digital converter  132 . 
     Analog-to-digital converter  132  may be configured to sample the down-converted signal at a predetermined sampling rate and to generate a digital data stream based on the sampled values which may be provided to demodulation module  136  and power density spectrum estimation module  134 . 
     Power density spectrum estimation module  134  may receive the digital data stream and may generate power density spectrum data based on the digital data stream. The power density spectrum data may provide a power density for frequencies within the frequency range passed by RF filter  122  spaced by a predetermined resolution, e.g., 100 kHz. For example, in one example embodiment, power density spectrum estimation module  134  may pass the received digital data stream through a fast Fourier transform engine to convert the digital data stream to the frequency domain and may organize the fast Fourier transform engine output to produce power density spectrum data. In another example embodiment, power density spectrum estimation module  134  may pass the received digital data stream through a bank of digital filters, the bank of digital filters having one or more digital filters for each communication channel, and may use the digital filter output as the basis for producing the power density spectrum data. 
     It is noted that power density spectrum estimation module  134  may be tailored to support the generation of power density data for different types of channel signal strength estimates. For example, if RSRP values are to be produced, power density spectrum estimation module  134  may multiply a digital data stream generated by analog-to-digital converter  132  by a cell specific pilot pattern, or cell specific code, and may generate power density values for time/frequency bins corresponding to the cell specific pilot pattern. For example, in one example embodiment, power density spectrum estimation module  134  may include a plurality of digital filters, one filter per communication channel. However, if RSSI values are to be produced, power density spectrum estimation module  134  may generate power density values for frequency/time bins based on the full digitized data stream generated by analog-to-digital converter  132 , since RSSI values may reflect the power of all the transmitted signals and noises. 
     Channel signal strength estimation module  138  may receive power density spectrum data from power density spectrum estimation module  134  and may generate channel signal strength estimates based on the received power density spectrum data. For example, in one example embodiment, channel signal strength estimation module  138  may sum the power density spectrum data for time/frequency bins associated with a communication channel to produce a signal strength estimate for the channel. Channel signal strength estimation module  138  may provide channel signal strength estimates to processor  106 , which may further process the channel signal strength estimates to produce one or more high level channel received signal strength parameters, for example, an RSSI value or an RSRP value, based on the channel signal strength estimates generated by channel signal strength estimation module  138 . 
     Demodulation module  136  may receive the digital data stream produced by analog-to-digital converter  132 , may demodulate a portion of the digital data stream associated with the currently selected communication channel, and may provide the demodulated data stream to processor  106  for further processing and/or for delivery to one or more device components  108 , as described above. 
       FIG. 2  presents a system level block diagram of a second example of a cellular radio frequency (RF) transceiver  200 , or user equipment, with a receiver that includes the described communication channel received signal strength estimation capability. Transceiver components in  FIG. 2  are similar to those described above with respect to  FIG. 1  and are identified with like numeric labels in which the first numeral has been changed to a “2” and subsequent numerals correspond with the labels of corresponding components described above with respect to  FIG. 1 . Features in  FIG. 2  that have been fully described above with respect to  FIG. 1  are not again described below. In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , RF filter  222 , down-conversion module  224 , local oscillator  226 , amplifier  230 , and analog-to-digital converter  232 , may be referred to collectively as an example embodiment of a receiver front end. 
     Transceiver  200  shown in  FIG. 2  differs from transceiver  100 , described above with respect to  FIG. 1 , in that transceiver  200  may be used to generate channel signal strength estimates for communication channels spread across a frequency range with a bandwidth greater than the maximum user equipment bandwidth, Ue_Bw, described above with respect to  FIG. 1 . For example, in one example embodiment, transceiver  200  may first be configured to produce channel signal strength estimates for communication channels within a first frequency range with a bandwidth of Ue_Bw. Once the communication channels within the first frequency range have been processed, transceiver  200  may be dynamically reconfigured to produce channel signal strength estimates for communication channels within subsequent, e.g., an adjacent, frequency ranges with a bandwidth of Ue_Bw. In this manner, transceiver  200  may produce channel signal strength estimates for communication channels spread across a frequency range with a bandwidth greater that Ue_Bw. 
     For example, as shown in the example embodiment of transceiver  200  in  FIG. 2 , one or more of RF filter  222 , analog-to-digital converter  232  and power density spectrum estimation module  234  may support connections with digital controller module  240  that allows each module to be dynamically reconfigured to process a next portion, e.g., of bandwidth Ue_Bw, of the frequency spectrum. In this manner, transceiver  200  may be used to generate channel signal strength estimates for a broader frequency range that could otherwise be achieved. 
     For example, in one example embodiment, RF filter  222  may be configured by digital controller module  240  to pass a first portion of a frequency spectrum, of bandwidth Ue_Bw, that may be further processed by subsequent modules within receiver  214 , e.g., down conversion module  224 , amplifier  230 , analog-to-digital converter  232 , power density spectrum estimation module  234  and channel signal strength estimation module  238 , to produce channel signal strength estimates that may be provided to processor  206  for use in support of higher level functions such as base station and/or communication channel selection, transmit power control (TPC) techniques, base station hand-off protocols., etc. Once the first portion of the frequency spectrum is processed, RF filter  122  may be reconfigured to pass a second frequency spectrum portion, of bandwidth Ue_Bw, for processing in a similar manner to produce channel signal strength estimates for channels within next portion of the frequency spectrum which, again, may be provided to processor  206 . The above-described process may be repeated multiple times until channel signal strength estimates have been generated for all channels within a frequency spectrum of interest. In this manner, transceiver  200  may produce channel signal strength estimates for a frequency spectrum with a bandwidth greater than the maximum bandwidth, Ue_Bw, that may be processed by receiver  214  during any single processing cycle 
       FIG. 3  presents a system level block diagram of a third example of a cellular radio frequency (RF) transceiver  300 , or user equipment, with a receiver that includes the described communication channel received signal strength estimation capability. The transceiver components in  FIG. 3  are similar to those described above with respect to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  and corresponding features are identified with like numeric labels in which the first numeral has been changed to a “3” and subsequent numerals match the labels of the corresponding features in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . Features in  FIG. 3  which have been fully described above with respect to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  are not again described below. 
     Transceiver  300  shown in  FIG. 3  differs from transceiver  200 , described above with respect to  FIG. 2 , in that, in accordance with an example embodiment, transceiver  300  may include two or more receivers  314 A and  314 B, and each receiver may be configured to process separate portions of a frequency range, simultaneously. In the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the two or more receivers  314 A and  314 B included in transceiver may be referred to collectively as an example embodiment of a receiver front end. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , transceiver  300  may include a first receiver  314 A and a second receiver  314   b  which may be configured in parallel between, for example, transmit/receiver switch  310  and processor  324 . Each of first receiver  314 A and second receiver  314 B may include components similar to those described above with respect to receiver  114  with respect to  FIG. 1 , or receiver  214  with respect to  FIG. 2 . However, first receiver  314 A may be configured to produce channel signal strength estimates for communication channels within a first frequency range with a bandwidth of Ue_Bw, and second receiver  314 B may be configured to produce channel signal strength estimates for communication channels within a second frequency range, e.g., of bandwidth Ue_Bw. Additional receivers, each covering other frequency ranges, may also be provided. In this manner, transceiver  300  may be used to generate channel signal strength estimates for a broader frequency range that could otherwise be achieved. Transceiver  300  and transceiver  200 , described above with respect to  FIG. 2 , differ from transceiver  100 , described above with respect to  FIG. 1 , in that both transceiver  300  and transceiver  200  can produce channel signal strength estimates for communication channels spread across a frequency range greater than a single receiver concurrent bandwidth Ue_Bw. However, transceiver  300  and transceiver  200  differ in that transceiver  200  may process a frequency range by processing portions of the frequency range, e.g., of bandwidth Ue_Bw in series, while transceiver  300  may process a frequency range by processing portions of the frequency range, i.e., of bandwidth Ue_Bw in parallel. 
     For example, in one example embodiment, RF filter  322 A of first receiver  314 A may be configured by digital controller module  340  to pass a first portion of a frequency spectrum of bandwidth Ue_Bw that may be further processed by subsequent modules within first receiver  314 A, e.g., down conversion module  324 A, amplifier  330 A, analog-to-digital converter  332 A, power density spectrum estimation module  334 A and channel signal strength estimation module  338 A, to produce channel signal strength estimates that may be provided to processor  306  for use in support of higher level functions such as base station and/or communication channel selection, transmit power control (TPC) techniques, base station hand-off protocols., etc. Further, RF filter  322 B of second receiver  314 B may be configured by digital controller module  340  to pass a second portion of a frequency spectrum of bandwidth Ue_Bw that may be further processed by subsequent modules within second receiver  314 B, e.g., down conversion module  324 B, amplifier  330 B, analog-to-digital converter  332 B, power density spectrum estimation module  334 B and channel signal strength estimation module  338 B, to produce channel signal strength estimates that may be provided to processor  306  for use in support of higher level functions such as base station and/or communication channel selection, transmit power control (TPC) techniques, base station hand-off protocols., etc. 
       FIG. 4  is a plot of an example power density spectrum that may be associated with a first incoming RF signal processed by, for example, transceiver  100 , described above with respect to  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , such power density spectrum data may be plotted as an X-Y coordinate plot  400  that may include a y-axis, or power density axis  402 , and an x-axis, or frequency axis  404 . The data plotted in X-Y coordinate plot  400  includes, first channel power density values  406 , and second channel power density values  408 . Also shown in  FIG. 4  is a channel raster bandwidth, or, ChannelRaster,  410 , a first signal bandwidth, or first Sig_Bw,  412 , a second signal bandwidth, or second Sig_Bw,  414 , a third signal bandwidth, or third Sig_Bw,  416 , and a user equipment bandwidth, or Ue_Bw,  418 . 
     Each signal bandwidth, Sig_Bw, shown in  FIG. 4  relative to the frequency-axis, may represent a frequency spectrum associated with a communication channel. The user equipment bandwidth, Ue_Bw, may represent the maximum frequency bandwidth that may be supported by an example receiver, e.g., such as receiver  114  described above with respect to  FIG. 1 , and when oriented relative to the frequency-axis, as shown in  FIG. 4 , may be used to mark a frequency range supported by a receiver with a single RF filter preconfigured to support a single frequency range with a bandwidth of Ue_Bw, e.g., such as receiver  114  described above with respect to  FIG. 1 . The channel raster, or ChannelRaster, defines a staggered spacing between overlapping communication channel frequency spectrums within the frequency range defined by the user equipment bandwidth, Ue_Bw. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , first channel power density values  406  align with the communication channel associated with second signal bandwidth  414 . Second channel power density values  408  only partially with third signal bandwidth  416  and include less power than first channel power density values  406 . As a result, the channel signal strength estimate produced by channel signal strength estimation module  138  based on second channel power density values  408  will be less than the channel signal strength estimate produced based on first channel power density values  406 , as described in greater detail below. 
     It is noted that although the example channel power density data presented in X-Y coordinate plot  400  at each of first channel power density values  406  and second channel power density values  408  is presented as a constant value, actual channel power density data may be affected by noise and/or other factors which may cause actual channel power density data to vary within the frequency range assigned to a communication channel. Also, it is noted that, depending on the protocol supported, the frequencies associated with a communication channel may be interspersed with frequencies associated with other communication channels. 
     RF transceiver  100 , described above with respect to  FIG. 1 , may be configured to generate channel signal strength estimates for a single frequency range, as shown in  FIG. 4  at Ue_Bw  418 , that includes a plurality of overlapping channels with overlapping frequency ranges, as shown in  FIG. 4  at Sig_Bw  412 , Sig_Bw  414 , and Sig_Bw  416 . However, RF transceiver  100 , described above with respect to  FIG. 1 , may not be dynamically configurable and, therefore, may not be able to scan a frequency bandwidth greater than Ue_Bw to allow receiver  114  to scan channels outside of a single user equipment maximum bandwidth, as shown in  FIG. 4  at Ue_Bw  418 . 
       FIG. 5  is a plot of a second example power density spectrum, plotted as an X-Y coordinate plot  500  that may include a y-axis, or power density axis  502 , and an x-axis, or frequency axis  504 . The data plotted in X-Y coordinate plot  500  includes, first channel power density values  506 , a second channel power density values  508 , and a third channel power density values  509 . The power density spectrum data shown in  FIG. 5 , differs from the power density spectrum described above with respect to  FIG. 4 , in that the power density spectrum data spans a frequency spectrum with a bandwidth greater than a single user equipment bandwidth Ue_Bw. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the second example of power density spectrum data spans a frequency range of a first user equipment bandwidth  518 , Ue_Bw_A, and a second user equipment bandwidth  520 , Ue_Bw_B. For example, first channel power density values  506  lay within a frequency range within first user equipment bandwidth  518 , second channel power density values  508  lay within a frequency range that spans first user equipment bandwidth  518  and a second user equipment bandwidth  520 , and third channel power density values  509  lay within a frequency range within a second user equipment bandwidth  520 . As a result, the channel signal strength estimate produced by a channel signal strength estimation module based on second channel power density values  508  will be less than the channel signal strength estimate produced based on channel power density values  506  and  509 , as described in greater detail below. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 5  is a channel raster bandwidth, or ChannelRaster,  510 , a first signal bandwidth, or first Sig_Bw,  512 , a second signal bandwidth, or second Sig_Bw,  514 , a third signal bandwidth, or third Sig_Bw,  516 , and a fourth signal bandwidth, or fourth Sig_Bw  517 . Each signal bandwidth, Sig_Bw, shown in  FIG. 5  relative to the frequency-axis, may represent a frequency spectrum associated with a communication channel. The user equipment bandwidth, Ue_Bw, may represent the maximum frequency bandwidth that may be supported by an example receiver during a single processing cycle, e.g., such as receiver  214  described above with respect to  FIG. 2 . The channel raster, or ChannelRaster, defines a staggered spacing between overlapping communication channel frequency spectrums within the frequency range defined by the user equipment bandwidth, Ue_Bw. Each of the signal bandwidth are mutually separated by an integer multiple of ChannelRaster  510  spacing. 
     It is noted that although the example channel power density data presented in X-Y coordinate plot  500  is presented as constant values, actual channel power density data may be affected by noise and/or other factors which may cause actual channel power density data to vary within the frequency range assigned to a communication channel. Also note that, depending on the protocol supported, the frequencies associated with a communication channel may be interspersed with frequencies associated with other communication channels. 
     RF transceiver  100 , described above with respect to  FIG. 1 , may be configured to generate channel signal strength estimates for a single frequency range, as shown in  FIG. 5  at Ue_Bw_A  518 , that includes a plurality of overlapping channels with overlapping frequency ranges, as shown in  FIG. 5  at Sig_Bw  512 , and Sig_Bw  514 . However, RF transceiver  100 , described above with respect to  FIG. 1 , may not be dynamically configurable and, therefore, may not be able to scan a frequency bandwidth greater than Ue_Bw to allow receiver  114  to scan channels outside of a single user equipment maximum bandwidth, as shown in  FIG. 5  at Sig_Bw  516  and Sig_Bw  517 . 
     Transceivers that do not include the described channel signal strength estimation approach may measure channel signal strength estimates, e.g., generate RSSI, RSRP values, for a single channel at an expected channel signal frequency and expected channel signal bandwidth. Each time a channel signal strength is generated, such a transceiver may tune an embedded receiver to a carrier frequency associated with a selected channel and may measure a total power for that channel base on a predetermine channel bandwidth associated with the selected channel. Such a processing cycle may require, including the time for PLL and AGC stabilization, approximately 1 msec. Therefore, such a transceiver would require 65 cycles, i.e., 65 msec, to generate channel signal strength estimates for 65 channels within an 18 MHz frequency range (assuming each channel is 5 MHz). 
     In contrast, in accordance with embodiments of the invention, the receiver bandwidth may be opened to a bandwidth greater than a single communication channel bandwidth, e.g., at least 200 kHz greater than the signal bandwidth, and may measure in parallel the power associated with each channel within the receiver bandwidth. In this manner, time consuming tuning to a particular selected expected channel may be avoided. The wider the signal bandwidth received, the greater the number of received channels that may be processed in parallel and for which estimates of channel signal strength may be generated. Therefore, a transceiver that incorporates the described channel signal strength estimation approach may generate channel signal strength estimates for the 65 possible channels within the 18 MHz (assuming each channel is 5 MHz) with a single processing cycle, or approximately 1 msec. 
     Equation 1, below, may be used to determine the number of communication channels, N, for which channel signal strength estimates may be generated by a transceiver with a receiver with an RF filter bandwidth, Ue_Bw, that may pass a fixed RF spectrum of bandwidth Ue_Bw, such as embodiments of the example transceiver described above with respect to  FIG. 1 . 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   N 
                   = 
                   
                     1 
                     + 
                     
                       ⌊ 
                       
                         
                           UE_Bw 
                           - 
                           Sig_Bw 
                         
                         ChannelRaster 
                       
                       ⌋ 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   Eq 
                   . 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   1 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
         
         
           
             Where N is the number of communication channels; 
             Ue_Bw is a frequency bandwidth that may be processed by a single receiver unit in a single processing cycle; 
             Sig_Bw is the frequency bandwidth of a single channel; and 
             ChannelRaster is the separation between start points of separate channels. 
           
         
       
    
     Equation 2, below, may be used to determine the number of communication channels, N, for which channel signal strength estimates may be generated by a transceiver capable of processing a signal frequency range with a bandwidth that includes multiple RF filter maximum bandwidths, Ue_Bw. For example, such a transceiver may include a single receiver with a single RF filter that may be dynamically reconfigured, such as transceiver  200  described above with respect to  FIG. 2 , or such a transceiver may include multiple receivers, each with a single RF filter that is configured to pass different portions of a frequency spectrum in parallel, such as transceiver  300  described above with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   N 
                   = 
                   
                     1 
                     + 
                     
                       ⌊ 
                       
                         
                           
                             M 
                             * 
                             Ue_Bw 
                           
                           - 
                           Sig_Bw 
                         
                         ChannelRaster 
                       
                       ⌋ 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   Eq 
                   . 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   2 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     Where M is the number of adjacent frequency ranges of bandwidth Ue_Bw processed in sequence or parallel processing cycles to generate channel signal strength estimates for channels within a frequency range of bandwidth M*Ue_Bw. 
     As described above with respect to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , power density spectrum data generated by a receiver&#39;s power density spectrum estimation module may be processed by a channel signal strength estimation module to generate measures of channel signal strength, e.g., such as RSSI and RSRP values. For example, in a transceiver embodiment in which the channel signal strength estimation module is configured to generate an RSSI value, power density spectrum data values produced by the power density spectrum estimation module may be summed for the respective communication channel frequency ranges as described with respect to equation 3, below. 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     RSSI 
                     ⁡ 
                     
                       ( 
                       K 
                       ) 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       ∑ 
                       
                         M 
                         = 
                         0 
                       
                       
                         Sig_Bw 
                         / 
                         resolution 
                       
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     
                         
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       P 
                       ⁡ 
                       
                         ( 
                         
                           
                             M 
                             * 
                             resolution 
                           
                           + 
                           
                             K 
                             * 
                             ChannelRaster 
                           
                         
                         ) 
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   Eq 
                   . 
                   
                       
                   
                   ⁢ 
                   3 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     Where K identifies a single communication channel; 
     Sig_Bw is the frequency bandwidth of a single channel; 
     ChannelRaster is the separation between start points of separate channels; 
     Resolution indicates a frequency separation, e.g., 100 kHz, between power density spectrum data values; 
     K*ChannelRaster identifies a frequency start-point of a channel for which power density values have been generated; 
     M*resolution identifies a frequency offset from the channel start-point (K*ChannelRaster); and 
     P(M*resolution+K*ChannelRaster) identifies a specific frequency for which a power density spectrum data value has been generated and stored. 
     For example, assuming that a communication protocol standard, e.g., a UMTS-WCDMA standard, defines communication channels with a channel bandwidth, Sig_Bw, of 3.84 Mhz and a channel raster of 200 kHz, a transceiver device with a receiver having a maximum concurrent receiver bandwidth, Ue_Bw, of 5 MHz would be able to scan a frequency range of 10 MHz by processing two 5 MHz scans. Based on equation 2, above, by executing 2 RSSI measurement processing cycles, a transceiver such as transceiver  200  which may process each of the 5 MHz frequency ranges in succession may generate N=1+(2*5−3.84)/0.2, or 31.8, channel signal strength measurements in the same time that 2 channel signal strength measurements could be performed using previous approaches. Further, based on equation 2, above, by processing 2 RSSI measurements, a transceiver such as transceiver  300  which may process each of the 5 MHz frequency ranges in parallel may generate N=1+(2*5−3.84)/0.2, or 31.8, channel signal strength measurements in the same time that a single channel signal strength measurements could be performed using previous approaches. 
       FIG. 6  shows a flow-chart of a process for generating communication channel received signal strength estimates using an RF transceiver, such as the transceivers described above with respect to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , that includes the described communication channel received signal strength estimation capability. As shown in  FIG. 6 , operation of the method begins at step S 602  and proceeds to step S 604 . 
     In step S 604 , a receiver is configured, either statically, or dynamically, to pass a first/next frequency spectrum with a frequency bandwidth that includes multiple communication channels, and operation of the method continues to step S 606 . 
     In step S 606 , an RF signal is received, and operation of the method continues to step S 608 . 
     In step S 608 , the received RF signal is filtered, and operation of the method continues to step S 610 . 
     If, in step S 610 , the filtered RF signal is down-converted, and operation of the method continues to step S 612 . 
     In step S 612 , an analog-to-digital conversion is performed to convert the analog down-converted signal to a digital data stream, and operation of the method continues to step S 614 . 
     In step S 614 , the digital data stream is digitally processed, e.g., through a fast Fourier transform, or through a bank of digital filters, to generate power density data based on the digital signal stream, and operation of the method continues to step S 616 . 
     In step S 616 , measures of channel signal strength, e.g., RSSI values, RSRP values, etc., are generated based on the generated power density data, e.g., by summing power density values associated with a communication channel, and operation of the method continues to step S 618 . 
     In step S 618 , the generated measures of channel signal strength may be transmitted to a transceiver controller/processor, and operation of the method terminates at step S 620 . 
     If, in step S 620 , the last set of communication channels has not been processed, operation of the method proceeds to step S 604 , otherwise, operation of the method terminates at step S 622 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a flow-chart of a process for generating power density spectrum data for an RF spectrum segment, as described above with respect to  FIG. 6  at step S 614 . The process flow described below with respect to  FIG. 7  may be implemented by a power density spectrum estimation module within a receiver, as described above with respect to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , operation of the method begins at step S 702  and proceeds to step S 704 . 
     In step S 704 , a digital data stream is received, and operation of the method continues to step S 706 . 
     In step S 706 , the received digital data stream may be digitally processed, e.g., via a fast Fourier transform or a bank of digital filters, and operation of the method continues to step S 708 . 
     In step S 708 , power density values for frequencies passed by the receiver RF filter may be generated based on the results of fast Fourier transform or digital filters, and operation of the method continues to step S 710 . 
     In step S 710 , the generated power density values may be stored in association with their respective RF frequencies, and operation of the method terminates at step S 712 . 
     It should be noted that in steps S 706  and S 708 , if RSRP values are to be generated, a received digital data stream may be multiplied by, i.e., filtered by, a cell specific pilot pattern, or cell specific code, and power density values may be generated for time/frequency bins based on the digital data passed by the cell specific pilot pattern. However, if RSSI values are to be generated, power density values may be generated for frequency/time bins based on the full digitized data stream received in step S 702 , since RSSI values may reflect the power of the transmitted signal and noise. 
       FIG. 8  shows a flow-chart for a process for generating received signal strength estimates based on the power density spectrum generated for an RF spectrum segment, as described above with respect to  FIG. 6  at step S 616 . The process flow described below with respect to  FIG. 8  may be implemented by a power density spectrum estimation module within a receiver, as described above with respect to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , operation of the method begins at step S 802  and proceeds to step S 804 . 
     In step S 804 , a first/next communication channel associated with frequencies passed by the receiver RF filter, as described above, is selected, and operation of the method continues to step S 806 . 
     In step S 806 , power density values associated with the selected communication channel may be summed, for example, using the summation approach described above with respect to equation 3, above, and operation of the method continues to step S 808 . 
     In step S 808 , the channel signal strength summation value is formatted as a channel signal strength estimate, e.g., an RSSI value or RSRP value, and operation of the method continues to step S 810 . 
     If, in step S 810 , the power density spectrum estimation module determines that a channel signal strength estimate has not been generated for the last communication channel in the frequency range being processed, operation of the method proceeds to step S 804 , otherwise, operation of the method terminates at step S 812 . 
     It is noted that the described RF receiver with improved communication channel received signal strength estimation capability may be used in any receiver device that supports a communication protocol in which communication channel received signal strength may be determined for multiple communication channels. 
     It is also noted that the power density spectrum estimation module may use any digital processing technique that allows power density data to be generated for the frequencies within the bandwidth passed by the RF filter. 
     Further, the channel signal strength estimates based of the generated power density data are not limited to RSSI and/or RSRP values. The power density data may be formatted as needed to provide any channel received signal strength parameter defined by any existing or future communication protocol. 
     For purposes of explanation, in the above description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the RF receiver with improved communication channel received signal strength estimation capability within RF transmitter/receiver devices in support of RF based communication. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the RF receiver with improved communication channel received signal strength estimation capability may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the features of the RF receiver with improved communication channel received signal strength estimation capability and the RF transmitter/receiver devices in which the RF receiver with improved communication channel received signal strength estimation capability may be used. 
     While the RF receiver with improved communication channel received signal strength estimation capability has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, embodiments of the RF receiver with improved communication channel received signal strength estimation capability as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. There are changes that may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.