Abstract: Search scheduling circuitry for use with a wireless communication device, such as a mobile telephone, includes a search time calculator, a search period calculator, a queue circuit, and a search time circuit. The search scheduler generates a prioritized list of cells to be adaptively searched in response to the network requirements and the capability of the search hardware. If there are very few “handoff” possibilities the search hardware may be turned off and then back on in time to meet the search rate requirements. However, if there is an excessive number of possibilities, the searcher list is prioritized and pared to assure the most likely candidates are searched. This search scheduling minimizes battery power consumption while meeting the search rate requirement and maximizes use of the search hardware for measuring signal quality from multiple neighboring cells and estimating the delay profile of active cells.

Abstract: Search scheduling circuitry for use with a wireless communication device, such as a mobile telephone, includes a search time calculator, a search period calculator, a queue circuit, and a search time circuit. The search scheduler generates a prioritized list of cells to be adaptively searched in response to the network requirements and the capability of the search hardware. If there are very few “handoff” possibilities the search hardware may be turned off and then back on in time to meet the search rate requirements. However, if there is an excessive number of possibilities, the searcher list is prioritized and pared to assure the most likely candidates are searched. This search scheduling minimizes battery power consumption while meeting the search rate requirement and maximizes use of the search hardware for measuring signal quality from multiple neighboring cells and estimating the delay profile of active cells.