Communication device performing measurements using assigned time slots

Abstract

A method for performing a measurement by a communication device including selecting at least one measurement type of a plurality of measurement types, wherein each measurement type is assigned to a time slot, wherein the at least one measurement type is selected for a time interval which is pre-defined as a transmission gap of a receiver of the communication device for carrying out measurements by the receiver corresponding to the time slot; and performing a measurement of the at least one measurement type during the time interval.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for performing measurements by a communication device, the method comprising:
 selecting, for a time interval, at least two measurement types out of plurality of measurement types according to which measurements are to be performed, wherein the time interval is pre-defined as a transmission gap without signals being transmitted between the communication device and a first base station for carrying out measurements by communication device and that comprises a plurality of time slots in which a measurement of the selected measurement types may be performed; and 
 performing a plurality of measurements of the selected at least two measurement types during the time interval. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the communication device is a mobile terminal. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the measurements are selected from a measurement of the reception quality of a signal sent by a base station in a radio cell and a measurement of the reception field strength of a signal sent by a base station in a radio cell. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a message specifying for each measurement type of the plurality of measurement types at least one time interval in which a measurement of the measurement type may be performed. 
 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein each measurement type is assigned a priority and the at least one measurement type is selected based on the priorities of the measurement types. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein each measurement type is assigned a counter counting the number of measurements performed according to the measurement type and the at least one measurement type is selected based on the current values of the counters of the measurement types. 
     
     
       7. A method for scheduling measurements, the method comprising:
 assigning a plurality of measurement types to a time interval that is defined as a transmission gap without signals being transmitted between a communication device and a first base station for carrying out measurements by the communication device; and 
 signaling the assignment to the communication device, 
 wherein each measurement type is assigned a priority and a counter counting the number of measurements performed according to the measurement type, and at least one measurement type is selected based on the priorities of the measurement types and/or the current values of the counters of the measurement types. 
 
     
     
       8. A communication network circuit comprising:
 an assigning circuit configured to assign a plurality of measurement types to a time interval that is defined as a transmission gap without signals being transmitted between a communication device and a first base station for carrying out measurements by the communication device; and 
 a signaling circuit configured to signal the assignment to the communication device, 
 wherein each measurement type is assigned a priority and a counter counting the number of measurements performed according to the measurement type, and at least one measurement type is selected based on the priorities of the measurement types and/or the current values of the counters of the measurement types. 
 
     
     
       9. A communication device, comprising:
 a selecting circuit configured to select, for a time interval, at least two measurement types out of plurality of measurement types according to which measurements are to be performed, wherein the time interval is pre-defined as a transmission gap without signals being transmitted between the communication device and a first base station for carrying out measurements by the communication device and that comprises a plurality of time slots in which a measurement of the selected measurement types may be performed; and 
 a measurement circuit configured to perform a plurality of measurements of the selected at least two measurement types during the time interval. 
 
     
     
       10. The communication device according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a receiving circuit configured to receive a message specifying for each measurement type of the plurality of measurement types at least one time interval in which a measurement of the measurement type may be performed. 
 
     
     
       11. The communication device according to  claim 9 , wherein the communication device is a mobile terminal. 
     
     
       12. The communication device according to  claim 11 , wherein the mobile terminal is a mobile terminal according to UMTS. 
     
     
       13. The communication device according to  claim 9 , wherein the measurements are selected from a measurement of the reception quality of a signal sent by a base station in a radio cell and a measurement of the reception field strength of a signal sent by a base station in a radio cell. 
     
     
       14. The communication device according to  claim 9 , wherein each measurement type is assigned a priority and the at least one measurement type is selected based on the priorities of the measurement types. 
     
     
       15. The communication device according to  claim 9 , wherein each measurement type is assigned a counter counting the number of measurements performed according to the measurement type and the at least one measurement type is selected based on the current values of the counters of the measurement types. 
     
     
       16. A method for configuring measurements by a communication device, the method comprising: receiving a message that includes an assignment of a plurality of measurement types according to which measurements are to be performed to a time interval that is defined as a transmission without signals being transmitted between a communication device and a first base station for carrying out measurements by the communication device; and selecting, for a time interval, at least two measurement types out of plurality of measurement types.