Abstract: A roaming emulator provides a tool for emulating system determination for monitoring the operation of a wireless communication device (WCD) during system determination. A signal monitoring program and service selection protocol are stored, and a signal emulation module provides a signal emulation output in accordance with a predetermined set of data. A processing module performs a simulation of a service selection procedure based on the service selection protocol and performed in accordance with the signal monitoring program and the signal emulation output. A result of the service selection is provided by an output module. The emulator can provide emulated system scanning based on geographical or market location, and can emulate scenarios when channels from neighboring systems or markets “bleed” into the RF environment of the WCD.

Abstract: The access terminal is configured to wirelessly send to a data system a request that the data system assign an access terminal identifier (ATI) to the access terminal. The access terminal delays transmission of the request until after a user of the access terminal has employed the access terminal to request a packet data service from the data system. In some instances, the data system is an Evolution, Data Only (EV-DO) system and the access terminal identifier (ATI) is a Unicast Access Terminal Identifier (UATI) generated by the Evolution, Data Only (EV-DO) system.

Abstract: Techniques to efficiently search for a WLAN are described. A terminal receives country information from a wireless wide area network (WWAN), which may be a cellular network or a broadcast network. This country information may be a Mobile Country Code (MCC) that is broadcast by the WWAN. The MCC identifies the country in which the WWAN is deployed. The terminal then performs active scan for a WLAN based on the country information received from the WWAN. For the active scan, the terminal determines a frequency channel and a transmit power level based on the country information. The terminal then transmits a probe request on the frequency channel and at the transmit power level determined based on the country information. The terminal may perform passive scan and/or active scan in accordance with a scan setting.

Abstract: A wireless communication device selects another service provider system when the MWCD has not changed its geographic position more than a threshold level.

Abstract: In a mobile station having an acquired wireless communications system, the mobile station performs preliminary searches for more desirable wireless communications systems in between paging channel and quick paging channel assigned slots, while successfully monitoring the mobile station's assigned slots. The mobile station then analyzes the preliminary search results and attempts to acquire the more desirable wireless communications systems that meets preliminary search criteria. The mobile station includes a communications transceiver that facilitates wireless communications with a local base station and processing circuitry adapted to control a slotted operation mode of the mobile station. The processing circuitry is adapted to instruct the communications transceiver to listen for incoming messages from the acquired communications system during slot modes and listen for candidate communications systems during slot-off modes.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system, apparatus and method that allow a wireless communication device to intelligently search for and select a communication cell based on a system identifier (SID) and network identifier (NID) order of preference rather than just pilot signal strength. Generally, a mobile device scans a frequency channel associated with the highest preferred SID/NID for pilot signals at different PN offsets. The cell associated with the strongest pilot signal detected is queried to determine whether it belongs to the SID/NID sought. If the selected PN offset belongs to a cell associated with the SID/NID sought then it is used for communications. Otherwise, the SID/NID identification process is repeated for the next strongest PN offset detected on the same frequency channel. If no pilot signals meeting these criteria are found in the frequency channel, the next highest preferred SID/NID is selected and the process is repeated.

Abstract: Techniques for performing automatic call origination for multiple wireless networks are described. A terminal automatically originates a call and supports fallback in case of call origination failure. The terminal selects the most preferred wireless network for the call based on network availability and network selection information. The terminal attempts origination of the call on the selected wireless network. If the call origination fails, then the terminal may select an alternate wireless network based on network availability and the network selection information and may attempt origination of the call on the alternate wireless network. If a VoIP call is preferred over a circuit-switched voice call, then the terminal may first attempt origination of a VoIP call on a packet-switched wireless network. If the VoIP call fails, then the terminal may attempt origination of a circuit-switched voice call on a circuit-switched wireless network.

Abstract: Wireless devices with different capabilities may use a single file containing multiple (e.g., two) PRLs for system selection and acquisition. A first PRL in the file has a first (e.g., IS-683-A) format and includes PRL information for, e.g., 1x systems. A second PRL has a second (e.g., IS-683-C) format and includes PRL information for, e.g., 1x and 1xEV-DO systems or just 1xEV-DO systems. A legacy wireless device supporting only IS-683-A would read and use the first PRL for system selection and acquisition and ignore the second PRL. A wireless device supporting IS-683-C would read the second PRL and (1) use the second PRL by itself if it contains PRL information for both 1x and 1xEV-DO systems or (2) combine the first and second PRLs to generate a combined PRL if the second PRL contains PRL information for only 1xEV-DO systems.

Abstract: Techniques for efficient storage and retrieval of Preferred Roaming Lists are disclosed. In one aspect, PRL entries are stored in two tables. One table contains records that are common to two or more PRL entries. Another table stores any information that is unique to a PRL entry, as well as an indicator of which common record is associated with it. The common record is concatenated with the unique information to generate the uncompressed PRL entry. Various other aspects of the invention are also presented. These aspects have the benefit of reducing the memory requirements for storing a PRL. In addition, time required to download the compressed PRL is reduced.

Abstract: A preferred roaming list (PRL) carries system and acquisition records for wireless wide area network (WWAN) systems and wireless local area network (WLAN) systems. New system and acquisition records may be defined for WLAN. The PRL and system and acquisition records may be defined to be backward compatible with TIA-683-C. System and acquisition information for WLAN systems may be stored in the new system and acquisition records, respectively. Information used to perform encryption and/or authentication for WLAN systems may be stored in a separate WLAN authentication profile table. The system record for each WLAN system indicates a acquisition record and a profile record for that WLAN system. A network identifier table may also carry system records and profile records for WLAN systems. The system records carry information used for WLAN system selection and acquisition. The profile records carry information used to perform encryption and/or authentication for WLAN systems.

Abstract: Techniques for efficient storage and retrieval of Preferred Roaming Lists are disclosed. In one aspect, PRL entries are stored in two tables. One table contains records that are common to two or more PRL entries. Another table stores any information that is unique to a PRL entry, as well as an indicator of which common record is associated with it. The common record is concatenated with the unique information to generate the uncompressed PRL entry. Various other aspects of the invention are also presented. These aspects have the benefit of reducing the memory requirements for storing a PRL. In addition, time required to download the compressed PRL is reduced.

Abstract: A wireless device receives a request to originate a data call, e.g., from the user or a higher layer application. If origination control is not to be applied, then the wireless device originates the data call immediately. Otherwise, the origination of the data call is controlled based on prior data call origination attempts that are applicable to the data call. For example, the wireless device may originate the data call immediately if (1) the most recent origination attempt was successful or (2) the most recent origination attempt was unsuccessful but a predetermined time period has elapsed since this unsuccessful origination attempt. If the most recent origination attempt was unsuccessful and the predetermined time period has not elapsed, then the wireless device may (1) wait until this predetermined time period elapses and then originate the data call or (2) reject the data call.

Abstract: A system for providing a dynamic multi-mode service acquisition capability to a subscriber station is provided. The subscriber station is capable of operating in two or more modes of operation. A time to scan condition is indicated while the subscriber station is operating in a current mode of operation having active and inactive states. Responsive thereto, the system stores state information for the current mode of operation, and attempts at least a partial acquisition of communications services in accordance with another mode of operation. The at least partial acquisition attempt is scheduled to be initiated while the subscriber station is operating in the inactive state in the current mode of operation, and completed before the subscriber station transitions back to the active state in the current mode of operation. If the acquisition attempt is successful, the subscriber station transitions to the new mode of operation, maintaining appropriate registration.

Abstract: Wireless devices with different capabilities may use a single file containing multiple (e.g., two) PRLs for system selection and acquisition. A first PRL in the file has a first (e.g., IS-683-A) format and includes PRL information for, e.g., 1x systems. A second PRL has a second (e.g., IS-683-C) format and includes PRL information for, e.g., 1x and 1xEV-DO systems or just 1xEV-DO systems. A legacy wireless device supporting only IS-683-A would read and use the first PRL for system selection and acquisition and ignore the second PRL. A wireless device supporting IS-683-C would read the second PRL and (1) use the second PRL by itself if it contains PRL information for both 1x and 1xEV-DO systems or (2) combine the first and second PRLs to generate a combined PRL if the second PRL contains PRL information for only 1xEV-DO systems.

Abstract: A mobile station includes client circuitry for facilitating wireless communications with a wireless communications system, and a configurable system selection unit that executes a system selection and acquisition procedure. The configurable system selection unit includes a front end and a system selection core. The front end facilitates communications between the configurable system selection unit and the client circuitry. The system selection core is coupled to the front end and includes a script engine and a nonvolatile memory storing at least one script table. The script table includes a plurality of system selection event conditions and corresponding scripts that define a system selection and acquisition procedure. The script engine is adapted to detect an event condition and execute the corresponding script. The system selection core is adapted to receive a system selection script and store the received script in the script table, thereby altering the system selection and acquisition procedure.

Abstract: In a mobile station having an acquired wireless communications system, the mobile station performs preliminary searches for more desirable wireless communications systems in between paging channel and quick paging channel assigned slots, while successfully monitoring the mobile station's assigned slots. The mobile station then analyzes the preliminary search results and attempts to acquire the more desirable wireless communications systems that meets preliminary search criteria. The mobile station includes a communications transceiver that facilitates wireless communications with a local base station and processing circuitry adapted to control a slotted operation mode of the mobile station. The processing circuitry is adapted to instruct the communications transceiver to listen for incoming messages from the acquired communications system during slot modes and listen for candidate communications systems during slot-off modes.

Abstract: In a mobile station having an acquired wireless communications system, the mobile station performs preliminary searches for more desirable wireless communications systems in between paging channel and quick paging channel assigned slots, while successfully monitoring the mobile station's assigned slots. The mobile station then analyzes the preliminary search results and attempts to acquire the more desirable wireless communications systems that meets preliminary search criteria. The mobile station includes a communications transceiver that facilitates wireless communications with a local base station and processing circuitry adapted to control a slotted operation mode of the mobile station. The processing circuitry is adapted to instruct the communications transceiver to listen for incoming messages from the acquired communications system during slot modes and listen for candidate communications systems during slot-off modes.

Abstract: Techniques for efficient storage and retrieval of Preferred Roaming Lists are disclosed. In one aspect, PRL entries are stored in two tables. One table contains records that are common to two or more PRL entries. Another table stores any information that is unique to a PRL entry, as well as an indicator of which common record is associated with it. The common record is concatenated with the unique information to generate the uncompressed PRL entry. Various other aspects of the invention are also presented. These aspects have the benefit of reducing the memory requirements for storing a PRL. In addition, time required to download the compressed PRL is reduced.

Abstract: Techniques for efficient storage and retrieval of Preferred Roaming Lists are disclosed. In one aspect, PRL entries are stored in two tables. One table contains records that are common to two or more PRL entries. Another table stores any information that is unique to a PRL entry, as well as an indicator of which common record is associated with it. The common record is concatenated with the unique information to generate the uncompressed PRL entry. Various other aspects of the invention are also presented. These aspects have the benefit of reducing the memory requirements for storing a PRL. In addition, time required to download the compressed PRL is reduced.

Abstract: A network operator identifier is used to uniquely identify each network operator to support international roaming. The network operator identifier includes (1) a Mobile Country Code (MCC) that identifies the country in which a network operator belongs and (2) a Network Operator Code (NOC), which may be a Mobile Network Code (MNC), that distinguishes network operators within a given MCC. Each network operator is assigned a unique combination of MCC and NOC that distinctly identifies the network operator, and the network operator identifier can be stored in a single entry in a preferred roaming list. The base stations of each network operator broadcast the network operator identifier in signaling messages. A mobile station receives a signaling message from a base station, obtains the network operator identifier, searches its preferred roaming list for an entry with the network operator identifier, and determines whether or not the current CDMA network is accessible.