APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CELL SEARCHING IN PORTABLE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL

• Main Authors: KOO, IN HOE, HA, EU JIN, SONG, YONG SOO
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 07.04.2008
• Subjects: ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; TRANSMISSION; WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS

A cell searching device of a portable terminal and a method thereof are provided to search whether a 3G communication network exists if a packet service is attempted while the terminal is in a waiting state of being connected to a 2G communication network, to be assigned with a 3G communication network channel which supports a high speed packet service, thereby performing the packet service. A storage(114) stores information on a PLMN(Public Land Mobile Network). A cell searcher(122) searches a cell area to decide whether a 3G communication network exists in the cell area where a portable terminal is located. A cell selector(120) controls the searched information on the PLMN to be stored in the storage, and controls the terminal to be connected with the 3G communication network by performing a location updating process if the terminal attempts a packet service in a waiting state of being connected to a 2G communication network in the cell area where the 2G communication network and the 3G communication network coexist.