System and method for assisted network acquisition and search updates

Abstract

A method and system provide assisted acquisition of a wireless link between user equipment and a femtocell unit. After an initial calibration of timing and/or frequency information, the user equipment enters into a low-power state. The femtocell unit monitors for system updates using a network listen module that sniffs the air interface of one or more neighboring cells. Upon a trigger event, the femtocell unit provides aiding information, for example, timing and/or frequency information corresponding to a change in timing and/or frequency of the air interface, over a second radio, e.g., a wireless personal area network interface. Thus, the user equipment may remain in the low-power state and receive updates with respect to the wireless wide area network interface. Subsequently, upon wake-up, the user equipment may utilize the aiding information, for example, to recalibrate its timing and/or frequency. Thus, acquisition of the wireless link with the femtocell unit may be expedited.