Importance

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Abstract

A device and method is provided that transmits a monitor report to the current base station concurrently with the transmission of the informational content carrying signals by embedding the monitor report in the informational content carrying signals. The current base station uses the monitor report to initiate transfer of service for the mobile communication device to the base station with the strongest carrier signal strength by sending appropriate signals to the mobile switching center that in turn signals the base station to take over service for the mobile communication device. A wideband digitizing circuit obtains amplified wideband analog signals from the receiver before channel filtering and demodulation, and converts them to complex digital samples. The digital samples are obtained at a rate greater than the Nyquist rate for the total scanned bandwidth but are only taken during a very short time interval commensurate with the reciprocal of the channel spacing, thereby reducing power consumption to a minimum. The digital samples are then operated on by a microprocessor or signal processor to determine energy in a plurality of channels, preferably using a fast Fourier transform. The analysis results in an indication of the channels containing the strongest signals and this information is provided in the monitor report sent to the current base station.

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First Claim