Rapid network acquisition and overhead message storage for machine-to-machine devices

Abstract

A stationary access terminal, such as a stationary remote sensor, capable of wireless communication with a network is provided. The access terminal obtains sector information associated with a wireless network node by establishing a communication link with the network node. The access terminal then stores the sector information in non-volatile memory, and later retrieves the sector information from the memory, for example, after a subsequent boot up or wake up event. The stored sector information is used by the access terminal to establish a subsequent communication link with the network node, and may include at least one of channel, band, and pseudo-random number sequence information. The access terminal may also store overhead messages received from the network node in the non-volatile memory. The stored overhead messages may later be retrieved to establish system operating parameters of the network node after the subsequent boot up or wake up event.