Improvement of throughput and radio resource utilization for user equipment with multiple SIMs

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to improvements in throughput and radio resource utilization for user equipment with multiple SIMs. The present disclosure relates to a user equipment (UE) comprising first and second subscriber identity modules (SIMs) that may be subscribed to different operators. When the first SIM is in a connected state and the second SIM is in an idle state, the UE may need to periodically tune a radio away from a first frequency used for communications under the first SIM to a second frequency used for idle mode activities under the second SIM. The UE may provide the traffic activity pattern and / or serving frequency of the second SIM to the network of the first SIM so that the network may provide coordinated configuration and / or scheduling for the UE device, for example, to make the action of tuning away (and back) the radio more efficient and / or reduce the network impact of such radio tuning away (e.g., wasted uplink scheduling and wasted downlink transmissions for the first SIM).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communications, and more particularly, to mechanisms capable of increasing throughput and / or improving radio resource utilization for User Equipment (UE) devices having multiple User Identity Modules and for networks communicating with such UE devices. Background Art

[0002] The use of wireless communication systems is growing rapidly. In addition, wireless communication technology has evolved from voice communication only to also include the transmission of data (such as the Internet and multimedia content). In order to enable a wireless device to access a wireless communication network (e.g., a cellular telecommunication network) according to at least some wireless communication technologies and standards, a user may subscribe to a service provider ("operator"), which in turn may provide such services to the user, for example, via the wireless communication network they operate. Such users in a wireless communication network are typically assigned user identity information, which may be stored in the user's wireless device, for example, as part of a subscriber identity module (SIM). For example, many wireless devices may be provided with a slot for a removable subscriber identity module (SIM) card. Providing such a slot may enable users to select and / or change their subscriber identity independently of the wireless device, as users may switch from their current SIM card to a different SIM card at any given time as needed. Recently, UE devices may be equipped with an eSIM (i.e., an electronic SIM, also known as an embedded SIM), in which an embedded memory in the UE stores the user's subscriber identity information. As used herein, the term "subscriber identity module" includes within its meaning the possibility that the subscriber identity module may be an eSIM or a removable SIM, unless otherwise specified.

[0003] Many UE devices are now designed as dual SIM or multi-SIM devices, where the UE is able to store two or more sets of user identity information for a user. (As used herein, the term "multi-SIM device" means a device that includes more than one SIM.) This enables the UE to, for example, store first user identity information for a user's home phone number, and also store second user identity information for a user's business phone number. Dual SIM or multi-SIM UE devices are particularly popular in recent developing economies such as China.

[0004] One type of dual SIM UE is called Dual Subscriber Identity Dual Active (DSDA). A DSDA UE is able to use two SIMs and two radio components to maintain two sets of active data communications simultaneously, for example, the UE can use one SIM to make a voice call while performing data communications (e.g., Internet browsing) on ​​the second SIM.

[0005] Another type of dual SIM UE may be referred to as dual SIM dual standby (DSDS), where only one SIM may be connected at any given time. Thus, when the UE is making a voice call using the first SIM, for example, the second SIM will be idle.

[0006] As discussed above, the UE may include two or more SIMs to enable the UE to communicate under two or more corresponding wireless service subscriptions. Different SIMs may be registered to different operators or the same operator. The SIMs in the UE may be in different communication states. For example, the first SIM may be in a connected state, while the second SIM may be in an idle state. In the case of a dual connection scenario, the first SIM will need to use one or more RF chains to transmit and / or receive data to / from one or more base stations (e.g., two base stations). The second SIM (in an idle state) will need to use at least one RF chain to monitor paging opportunities (or paging moments).

[0007] In the case where the first SIM and the second SIM are registered to different operators, the RF chain may be subject to periodic switching between a first frequency that supports data transfer associated with the connected state of the first SIM and a second frequency that supports paging monitoring of the idle state of the second SIM. (Different operators typically use different frequencies.) Therefore, during those time periods when the RF chain is tuned away to the second frequency, the UE will not be able to utilize any uplink grants for the first SIM. Similarly, since the first SIM does not have control of the RF chain, any downlink data transmitted by the network of the first SIM during those time periods will be ignored.

[0008] Even in the case where the first SIM and the second SIM are registered to the same operator and therefore the same frequency can be used to support connected mode data transfer of the first SIM and idle state paging monitoring of the second SIM, valuable time is consumed when the UE switches its attention from data transfer to paging monitoring and vice versa.

[0009] Therefore, there exists a fundamental need for a mechanism that can improve the throughput and / or performance of user equipment devices that include more than one SIM and networks that communicate with such user equipment devices. Summary of the invention

[0010] In one set of embodiments, a network node in a first wireless network may include: an interface to one or more base stations of the first wireless network; and a processing element operatively coupled to the interface. The processing element may be configured to: receive, via the interface, an indication that a user equipment (UE) device has at least a first subscriber identity module (SIM) and a second SIM, wherein the first wireless network is associated with the first SIM; and receive, via the interface, a serving frequency of a second wireless network associated with the second SIM, wherein the second wireless network is different from the first wireless network.

[0011] The processing element may be further configured to select a serving frequency of the first wireless network for use by the UE device based at least in part on a serving frequency of the second wireless network, wherein the serving frequency of the first wireless network is selected from a set of available frequencies of the first wireless network to increase retuning efficiency of radio hardware in the UE device.

[0012] The processing element may be further configured to transmit a reconfiguration message to the UE device via the interface, wherein the reconfiguration message includes a selected serving frequency of the first wireless network, wherein the reconfiguration message includes instructions for tuning the radio hardware to the selected serving frequency for connection state data transfer of the first SIM.

[0013] In one set of embodiments, a wireless user equipment (UE) device may include: a radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem; and a plurality of subscriber identity modules (SIMs), wherein each subscriber identity module supports access to a corresponding wireless network. The processing element may be configured to: receive a reconfiguration message from a first wireless network corresponding to a first SIM; and in response to receiving the reconfiguration message, reconfigure a serving cell frequency for a data connection of the first SIM with the first wireless network to reduce or eliminate frequency retuning events on an RF chain supporting a data connection of the first SIM and monitoring of paging of a second wireless network associated with a second SIM.

[0014] In one set of embodiments, a wireless user equipment (UE) device may include: a radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem; and a plurality of subscriber identity modules (SIMs), wherein each subscriber identity module supports access to a corresponding wireless network, wherein a first SIM is associated with a first wireless network, and wherein a second SIM is associated with a second wireless network different from the first wireless network. The processing element may be configured to: receive a configuration message from the first wireless network, wherein the configuration message includes an indication of a rejection probability threshold; and in response to receiving the configuration message, control a percentage of time that an RF chain of the radio subsystem is tuned away from a first frequency corresponding to a connection with the first wireless network to a second frequency of the second wireless network, wherein the control is based on the rejection probability threshold.

[0015] In one set of embodiments, a wireless user equipment (UE) device may include: a radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem; and a plurality of subscriber identity modules (SIMs), each of which supports access to a corresponding wireless network, wherein the SIMs include a first SIM and a second SIM. The processing element may be configured to: select at least one of a first RF chain or a second RF chain of the radio subsystem that is to be subjected to idle mode activity of a second SIM during a dual connectivity (DC) state of the first SIM; and instruct the radio subsystem to transmit a selection indicator to a first wireless network associated with the first SIM, wherein the selection indicator indicates selection of at least one of a primary cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG) associated with the dual connectivity state of the first SIM, wherein the selection indicated by the selection indicator is determined based on the selection of at least one of the first RF chain or the second RF chain.

[0016] In one set of embodiments, a network node in a wireless network may include: an interface to a base station of the wireless network; a processing element operatively coupled to the interface. The processing element may be configured to: create a data record for a wireless user equipment (UE) device having multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs), wherein the data record is linked to first SIM information and second SIM information of the UE device, wherein the first SIM information corresponds to the first SIM of the UE device, and wherein the second SIM information corresponds to the second SIM of the UE device. In response to establishing a first call to or from a first mobile number associated with the first SIM information, setting the data record to a busy state; and in response to receiving a second call to a second mobile number associated with the second SIM information while the data record is in the busy state, avoiding paging the second mobile number for at least a certain period of time.

[0017] In one set of embodiments, a wireless user equipment (UE) device may include: a radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem; and a plurality of user identity modules (SIMs). Each user identity module supports access to a corresponding wireless network. In addition, the processing element may be configured to: in response to determining that a first SIM is entering or has entered a connected state and a second SIM is entering or has entered an idle state, instruct the radio subsystem to transmit paging scheduling information to a wireless network corresponding to the first SIM, wherein the paging scheduling information indicates a periodic sequence of time intervals for monitoring at least paging from the wireless network corresponding to the second SIM; and during the connected state of the first SIM and the idle state of the second SIM, control the RF chain of the radio subsystem to support a data transfer process of the first SIM and paging monitoring of the second SIM, wherein the paging monitoring is performed only during the time intervals of the periodic sequence, wherein the data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction and occurs only outside the time intervals of the periodic sequence.

[0018] In another set of embodiments, a wireless base station of a first wireless network may include: a radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem. The processing element may be configured to: receive paging scheduling information from a user equipment (UE) device, wherein the paging scheduling information indicates a periodic sequence of time intervals associated with paging opportunities (or paging moments) of a second wireless network different from the first wireless network; and in response to receiving the paging scheduling information, control an RF chain of the radio subsystem to support a data transfer process associated with the UE device, wherein the data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction, wherein data transfer of the data transfer process is scheduled only outside the periodic sequence of time intervals.

[0019] Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure may relate to methods for improving throughput and / or radio resource utilization of multi-SIM UE devices, to UE devices configured to implement such methods, and / or to non-transitory computer-accessible memory media storing program instructions that can be executed by a processor to implement such methods. The UE device may include a radio component for performing wireless communications (e.g., including one or more antennas and / or other radio components). The UE device may also include a processing element that is configured to implement part or all of the method (e.g., by executing program instructions). The UE device may also include one or more user interface elements, such as a display. In addition, the UE device may include a non-transitory computer-accessible memory medium that may store program instructions that can be executed by the UE. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] A better understanding of the present subject matter may be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is considered in conjunction with the following drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 to Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system according to some embodiments is shown.

[0022] Figure 3 An example of a base station in communication with a user equipment device is shown according to some embodiments.

[0023] Figure 4 An example of a block diagram of a user equipment device is shown according to some embodiments.

[0024] Figure 5 An example of a block diagram of a base station according to some embodiments is shown.

[0025] Figure 6 A user device 600 is shown according to a set of embodiments, wherein according to some embodiments the user device 600 comprises a plurality of Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs).

[0026] Figure 7 1 shows a base station 700 according to some embodiments. The base station 700 may be used to communicate with Figure 6 The user equipment 600 communicates with the user equipment 600.

[0027] Fig. 8A The following examples are shown according to some embodiments: a default transfer 810 of a first subscriber identity module (SIM) of a user equipment device; a series of paging times 815 for a second SIM of the user equipment device; and a transfer 820 of the first SIM with a suspended schedule.

[0028] Figure 8B FIG. 1 shows a first SIM (SIM-1) in a user equipment device, a second SIM (SIM-2) in the user equipment device, and a carrier (Carrier ID) for the first SIM according to some embodiments. SIM1 ) is an implementation scheme for signals exchanged between.

[0029] Figure 8C One embodiment of a method 880 for reducing the impact of paging monitoring on connected mode performance of a UE with more than one SIM is shown in accordance with some embodiments.

[0030] Fig. 9 An implementation of a UE device 900 is shown according to some embodiments, the UE device being configured to select one of a Master Cell Group (MCG) or a Secondary Cell Group (SCG) for paging monitoring.

[0031] Fig.10An implementation of a UE device 1000 is shown according to some embodiments, the UE device being configured to perform periodic tuning of a primary cell group and a secondary cell group.

[0032] Fig.11 An embodiment of a network node 1100 is shown, which may be used to improve the performance of a network providing dual connectivity to UE devices having more than one SIM, according to some embodiments.

[0033] Fig.12 An embodiment of a node network 1200 is shown that may be used to reduce paging resources for UE devices having two or more SIMs registered to the same operator, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0034] Fig.13 One embodiment of a method for reconfiguring a multi-SIM UE device to increase radio retuning efficiency, especially when a connected mode SIM and an idle mode SIM are assigned to the same RF chain, according to some embodiments is shown.

[0035] Fig.14 One embodiment of a method for operating a UE device to increase radio retuning efficiency, in particular when the RF chain of the UE device is used to serve both connected mode SIMs and idle mode SIMs, in accordance with some embodiments is shown.

[0036] Fig.15A One embodiment of a method for operating a UE device such that the percentage of time the RF chain is used to serve an idle mode SIM is limited in accordance with some embodiments.

[0037] Fig. 15B An implementation of a method according to some embodiments is shown which enables a multi-SIM UE device to autonomously reject the transmission of a connected mode SIM in favor of an idle mode SIM, but with a limited rejection probability.

[0038] Fig.16 An embodiment of a method for operating a UE device according to some embodiments is shown, which enables the UE device to reduce the impact of both a serving connected mode SIM and an idle mode SIM, especially in the context of dual connectivity.

[0039] Fig.17 One embodiment of a method for operating a network node to handle a call to an idle mode SIM when a call to a connected mode SIM is already ongoing is shown according to some embodiments.

[0040] Although the features described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereof are not intended to limit this document to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the purpose is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Acronyms

[0042] The following acronyms are used in this disclosure:

[0043] 3GPP: Third Generation Partnership Project

[0044] 3GPP2: Third Generation Partnership Project 2

[0045] 5G NR: 5th Generation New Radio

[0046] ACK: Acknowledgement

[0047] ARQ: Automatic Repeat Request

[0048] DC: Dual Connect

[0049] DL: Downlink

[0050] DRB: (User) Data Radio Bearer

[0051] DRX: Discontinuous Reception

[0052] DSDS: Dual SIM Dual Standby

[0053] eNB (or eNodeB): Evolved Node B, i.e., the base station of 3GPP LTE

[0054] EN-DC: E-UTRA NR Dual Connectivity

[0055] eSIM: embedded SIM or electronic SIM

[0056] eUICC: Embedded UICC

[0057] gNB (or gNodeB): Next-generation NodeB, i.e., 5G NR base station

[0058] GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications

[0059] HARQ: Hybrid ARQ

[0060] KPI: Key Performance Indicator

[0061] LTE: Long Term Evolution

[0062] LTE-A: LTE Advanced

[0063] MAC: Media Access Control

[0064] MAC-CE: MAC Control Element

[0065] MCG: Master Cell Group

[0066] MCS: Modulation and Coding Scheme

[0067] MO: Mobile Origin

[0068] MR-DC: Multi-RAT DC

[0069] Nr: New Radio Parts

[0070] NR-DC: NR Dual Connectivity

[0071] NW: Network

[0072] RAT: Radio Access Technology

[0073] RLC: Radio Link Control

[0074] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0075] SCG: Secondary Cell Group

[0076] SIM: Subscriber Identity Module

[0077] SRB: Signalling Radio Bearer

[0078] UE: User Equipment

[0079] UICC: Universal Integrated Circuit Card

[0080] UL: Uplink

[0081] UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

[0082] USIM: UMTS SIM

[0083] the term

[0084] The following is a glossary of terms used in this disclosure:

[0085] Memory medium – any of various types of memory devices or storage devices. The term “memory medium” is intended to include installation media, such as CD-ROM, floppy disk, or tape device; computer system memory or random access memory such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; non-volatile memory such as flash memory, magnetic media, for example, hard disk drive or optical storage device; registers, or other similar types of memory elements, etc. The memory medium may also include other types of memory, or a combination thereof. In addition, the memory medium may be located in a first computer system executing a program, or may be located in a different second computer system connected to the first computer system via a network such as the Internet. In the latter case, the second computer system may provide program instructions to the first computer for execution. The term “memory medium” may include two or more memory media that may reside in different locations in different computer systems connected, for example, via a network. The memory medium may store program instructions (e.g., in the form of a computer program) that may be executed by one or more processors.

[0086] Carrier Medium—storage media as described above, and physical transmission media such as a bus, network, and / or other physical transmission media that transport signals such as electrical, electromagnetic or digital signals.

[0087] Programmable hardware element - includes various hardware devices that include multiple programmable function blocks connected via programmable interconnects. Examples include FPGA (field programmable gate array), PLD (programmable logic device), FPOA (field programmable object array), and CPLD (complex PLD). Programmable function blocks can vary from fine-grained (combinational logic unit or lookup table) to coarse-grained (arithmetic logic unit or processor core). Programmable hardware elements may also be referred to as "configurable logic units".

[0088] Computer system – Any of various types of computing or processing systems, including a personal computer system (PC), mainframe computer system, workstation, network appliance, Internet appliance, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal communication device, smart phone, television system, grid computing system, or other device or combination of devices. In general, the term "computer system" can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.

[0089] User Equipment (UE) (or "UE device") - any of various types of computer system devices that are mobile or portable and perform wireless communications. Examples of UE devices include mobile phones or smart phones (e.g., iPhone TM , based on AndroidTM phones), portable gaming devices (e.g., Nintendo DS TM , PlayStation Portable TM 、Gameboy Advance TM , iPhone TM ), wearable devices (e.g., smart watches, smart glasses), laptops, PDAs, portable network devices, music players, data storage devices, or other handheld devices, etc. In general, the term "UE" or "UE device" can be broadly defined to include any electronic, computing, and / or telecommunication device (or combination of devices) that is easily transportable by a user and capable of wireless communication.

[0090] Base Station - The term "base station" has the full breadth of its ordinary meaning and includes at least a wireless communication station that is installed at a fixed location and used to communicate as part of a wireless telephone system or radio system.

[0091] Processing Element – ​​refers to any of various elements or combinations of elements. Processing elements include, for example, circuits such as ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), portions or circuits of individual processor cores, entire processor cores, individual processors, programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or larger portions of systems including multiple processors.

[0092] Automatic—refers to an action or operation performed by a computer system (e.g., software executed by a computer system) or a device (e.g., a circuit, a programmable hardware element, an ASIC, etc.) without the need for user input to directly specify or perform the action or operation. Thus, the term "automatic" is in contrast to a user manually performing or specifying an action, where the user provides input to directly perform the action. An automatic process may be initiated by input provided by a user, but subsequent actions performed "automatically" are not specified by the user, i.e., are not performed "manually," where the user specifies each action to be performed. For example, a user filling out an electronic form by selecting each field and providing input specifying information (e.g., by typing in information, selecting check boxes, radio selections, etc.) is manually filling out the form, even though the computer system must update the form in response to the user action. The form may be automatically filled out by a computer system, where the computer system (e.g., software executed on the computer system) analyzes the fields of the form and fills out the form without any user input specifying the answers to the fields. As indicated above, a user may invoke automatic filling out of a form, but not participate in the actual filling out of the form (e.g., the user does not manually specify the answers to the fields but rather they are automatically completed). This specification provides various examples of operations that are automatically performed in response to actions taken by a user.

[0093] Figures 1 to 3 -Communication system

[0094] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary (and simplified) wireless communication system is shown. Note that Figure 1 and Figure 2 The systems are merely examples of some possible systems, and various embodiments may be implemented in any of a variety of ways as desired.

[0095] Figure 1 The wireless communication system of 102 includes a base station 102A that communicates with one or more user equipment (UE) devices 106A, 106B, etc. to 106N via a transmission medium. Each of the user equipment devices may be referred to herein as a "user equipment" (UE). Figure 2 In the wireless communication system, in addition to the base station 102A, the base station 102B also communicates with the UE devices 106A, 106B, etc. to 106N through the transmission medium (for example, simultaneously or concurrently).

[0096] Base stations 102A and 102B may be base transceiver stations (BTS) or cell sites, and may include hardware to enable wireless communications with user devices 106A through 106N. Each base station 102 may also be equipped to communicate with a core network 100 (e.g., base station 102A may be coupled to core network 100A, and base station 102B may be coupled to core network 100B), which may be a core network of a cellular service provider. Each core network 100 may be coupled to one or more external networks (such as external network 108), which may include the Internet, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), or any other network. Thus, base station 102A may facilitate communications between user devices and / or between user devices and network 100A; Figure 2 In a system of FIG. 1 , base station 102B may facilitate communications between user devices and / or between user devices and network 100B.

[0097] The base stations 102A and 102B and the user devices may be configured to communicate via a transmission medium using any of a variety of radio access technologies (RATs), also referred to as wireless communication technologies or telecommunication standards, such as GSM, UMTS (WCDMA), LTE, Advanced LTE (LTE-A), 3GPP2CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), Wi-Fi, WiMAX, etc.

[0098] For example, base station 102A and core network 100A may operate according to a first cellular communication standard (e.g., LTE), while base station 102B and core network 100B may operate according to a second (e.g., different) cellular communication standard (e.g., GSM, UMTS, and / or one or more CDMA2000 cellular communication standards). The two networks may be controlled by the same network operator (e.g., cellular service provider or "operator") or different network operators. In addition, the two networks may operate independently of each other (e.g., if they operate according to different cellular communication standards), or may operate in a somewhat coupled or tightly coupled manner.

[0099] It should also be noted that although Figure 2 The illustrated network configuration may use two different networks to support two different cellular communication technologies, but other network configurations implementing multiple cellular communication technologies are possible. As an example, base stations 102A and 102B may operate according to different cellular communication standards, but are coupled to the same core network. As another example, a multi-mode base station capable of simultaneously supporting different cellular communication technologies (e.g., LTE and CDMA 1xRTT, GSM and UMTS, or any other combination of cellular communication technologies) may be coupled to a core network that also supports different cellular communication technologies. Any other various network deployment scenarios are also possible.

[0100] As another possibility, base station 102A and base station 102B may also operate according to the same wireless communication technology (or a set of overlapping wireless communication technologies). For example, base station 102A and core network 100A may be operated by one cellular service provider independently from base station 102B and core network 100B, which may be operated by different (e.g., competing) cellular service providers. Thus, in this case, despite using similar and possibly compatible cellular communication technologies, UE devices 106A-106N may independently communicate with base stations 102A-102B, perhaps by utilizing separate subscriber identities to communicate with different operator networks.

[0101] UE 106 can communicate using multiple wireless communication standards. For example, UE 106 can be configured to communicate using any one or two cellular communication standards in a 3GPP cellular communication standard (such as LTE) and / or a 3GPP2 cellular communication standard (such as a cellular communication standard in the CDMA2000 series of cellular communication standards). As another example, UE 106 can be configured to communicate using different 3GPP cellular communication standards (such as two or more of GSM, UMTS, LTE, or LTE-A). Therefore, as described above, UE 106 can be configured to communicate with base station 102A (and / or other base stations) according to a first cellular communication standard (e.g., LTE) and can also be configured to communicate with base station 102B (and / or other base stations) according to a second cellular communication standard (e.g., one or more CDMA2000 cellular communication standards UMTS, GSM, etc.).

[0102] Base stations 102A and 102B and other base stations operating according to the same or different cellular communication standards may thus be provided as one or more cell networks that may provide continuous or nearly continuous overlapping service to UEs 106A-106N and similar devices over a wide geographic area via one or more cellular communication standards.

[0103] The UE 106 may also or alternatively be configured to communicate using WLAN, Bluetooth, one or more global navigation satellite systems (GNSS, such as GPS or GLONASS), one and / or more mobile television broadcast standards (e.g., ATSC-M / H or DVB-H), etc. Other combinations of wireless communication standards (including more than two wireless communication standards) are also possible.

[0104] Figure 3 A user equipment 106 (e.g., one of devices 106A-106N) is shown communicating with a base station 102 (e.g., one of base stations 102A or 102B). UE 106 may be a device with wireless network connectivity, such as a mobile phone, a handheld device, a computer or tablet, a wearable device, or substantially any type of wireless device.

[0105] The UE may include a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory. The UE may perform any of the method embodiments described herein by executing such stored instructions. Alternatively or in addition, the UE may include a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) configured to perform any of the method embodiments described herein, or any portion of any of the method embodiments described herein.

[0106] UE 106 may be configured to communicate using any of a number of wireless communication protocols. For example, UE 106 may be configured to communicate using two or more of GSM, UMTS (W-CDMA, TD-SCDMA, etc.), CDMA2000 (1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD, etc.), LTE, LTE-A, WLAN, or GNSS. Other combinations of wireless communication standards are also possible.

[0107] UE 106 may include one or more antennas for communicating using one or more wireless communication protocols. Within UE 106, one or more portions of the receive and / or transmit chains may be shared between multiple wireless communication standards; for example, UE 106 may be configured to communicate using a single shared radio using one (or both) of GSM or LTE. The shared radio may include a single antenna, or may include multiple antennas for performing wireless communication (e.g., for MIMO or beamforming). MIMO is an acronym for Multi-Input Multiple-Output.

[0108] Figure 4 - Example of a block diagram of a UE

[0109] Figure 4 An example of a block diagram of a UE 106 is shown. As shown, the UE 106 may include a system on chip (SOC) 300, which may include parts for various purposes. For example, as shown, the SOC 300 may include one or more processors 302 that can execute program instructions for the UE 106, and a display circuit 304 that can perform graphics processing and provide display signals to a display 345. The one or more processors 302 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 340, which may be configured to receive addresses from the one or more processors 302 and convert those addresses into locations in a memory (e.g., a memory 306, a read-only memory (ROM) 350, a NAND flash memory 310) and / or other circuits or devices, such as a display circuit 304, a radio component 330, a connector I / F 320, and / or a display 345. The MMU 340 may be configured to perform memory protection and page table conversion or setup. In some embodiments, the MMU 340 may be included as part of the one or more processors 302.

[0110] As shown, SOC 300 may be coupled to various other circuits of UE 106. For example, UE 106 may include various types of memory (e.g., including flash memory 310), a connector interface 320 (e.g., for coupling to a computer system, a docking station, a charging station, etc.), a display 345, and a radio 330.

[0111] The radio 330 may include one or more RF chains. Each RF chain may include a transmit chain, a receive chain, or both. For example, the radio 330 may include two RF chains to support dual connectivity with two base stations (or two cells). The radio may be configured to support wireless communications according to one or more wireless communication standards (e.g., one or more of GSM, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, WCDMA, CDMA2000, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc.).

[0112] Radio 330 is coupled to an antenna subsystem 335 that includes one or more antennas. For example, antenna subsystem 335 may include multiple antennas to support applications such as dual connectivity or MIMO or beamforming. Antenna subsystem 335 transmits and receives radio signals to / from one or more base stations or devices over a radio propagation medium, which is typically the atmosphere.

[0113] In some embodiments, the processor 302 may include a baseband processor to generate uplink baseband signals and / or process downlink baseband signals. The processor 302 may be configured to perform data processing according to one or more wireless telecommunication standards (e.g., one or more of GSM, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, WCDMA, CDMA2000, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, etc.).

[0114] The UE 106 may also include one or more user interface elements. The user interface elements may include various elements such as a display 345 (which may be a touch screen display), a keyboard (which may be a separate keyboard or may be implemented as part of the touch screen display), a mouse, a microphone and / or a speaker, one or more cameras, one or more sensors, one or more buttons, and / or any of a variety of other elements capable of providing information to a user and / or receiving or interpreting user input.

[0115] As shown, UE 106 may also include two or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as SIM 360 and SIM 362. One or both of SIM 360 and 362 may be implemented as an embedded SIM (eSIM). In this case, SIM 360 and / or SIM 362 may be implemented in device hardware and / or software. For example, in some embodiments, UE 106 may include an embedded UICC (eUICC), for example, a device that is built into UE 106 and is not removable. The eUICC may be programmable so that one or more eSIMs may be implemented on the eUICC. In other embodiments, the eSIM may be installed in UE 106 software, for example, as program instructions stored on a storage medium (such as memory 306 or Flash 310) executed on a processor (such as processor 302) in UE 106. As an example, SIM 360 may be an application executed on a universal integrated circuit card (UICC). Alternatively or in addition, one or both of SIM 360 and 362 may be implemented as a removable SIM card.

[0116] Each SIM 360 or 362 may include multiple types of information, including personalized information specific to a user and / or device (e.g., personalized information), and information not specific to a user and / or device (e.g., public information). The personalized information may include user / unit specific data, such as information identifying the user / unit to its operator's network, personalized authorization and / or security information, etc. Some or all of this personalized information may be used as a user identity for the UE 106, for example, to identify the user to the operator's network and obtain cellular service from the operator.

[0117] As an example, the personalized information may include one or more International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) codes. An IMSI may identify a user to its operator's network. An IMSI may, for example, be a number including the user's "home" Mobile Country Code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC), as well as a Mobile Subscription Identification Number (MSIN) unique to the user. The personalized information may also or alternatively include a Personal Identification Number (PIN) (e.g., a code that a user may use to access their SIM), a Personal Unlock Code and / or Personal Unlock Key (PUC / PUK), and one or more Authentication Keys (K / Ki). Any of a variety of other personalized information may also or alternatively be used as desired.

[0118] Thus, each SIM 360 and 362 may contain user identity information that may be used to identify the user to its carrier cellular network. As described above, the UE 106 may utilize multiple user identities. For example, a user may desirably obtain service from multiple carriers for any of a variety of reasons, including different coverage / service areas of different carriers, different service plans / pricing offered by different carriers, or different technologies used. In some cases, it may be desirable to utilize multiple user identities (whether from the same or different carriers) as a means of distinguishing between types of interactions, such as work-related communications and personal communications. For example, one SIM may be used to provide a work phone number, while another SIM may be used to provide a personal phone number.

[0119] As another possibility, situations may arise where it may be desirable for some operators implementing LTE networks to utilize multiple user identities in a single device. Specifically, in some cases, LTE networks may be deployed, at least initially, for packet-switched data communications (e.g., web browsing, email, and other networking applications, etc.), while pre-existing GSM and / or UMTS networks may be used for circuit-switched communication technologies such as voice communications.

[0120] As further described below, UE 106 may implement various techniques that enable UE to improve performance when one of the SIMs is in a connected state and another of the SIMs is in an idle state. Thus, as further described later herein, UE 106 may include hardware components and software components for implementing such techniques.

[0121] The processor 302 of the UE device 106 may be configured to implement some or all of the methods described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). In other embodiments, the processor 302 may be configured as or include: a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array); or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit); or a combination thereof.

[0122] Figure 5 - Base station example

[0123] Figure 5 1 shows a block diagram of a base station 102. Note that Figure 5The base station of is only one example of a possible base station. As shown, the base station 102 may include one or more processors 404 that may execute program instructions for the base station 102. The one or more processors 404 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 440 (which may be configured to receive addresses from the one or more processors 404 and convert these addresses to locations in memory (e.g., memory 460 and read-only memory ROM 450)) or other circuits or devices.

[0124] Base station 102 may include at least one network port 470. Network port 470 may be configured to couple to a telephone network and provide access to the telephone network described above. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The telephone network described in (for multiple devices, such as UE device 106).

[0125] The network port 470 (or an additional network port) may also or alternatively be configured to couple to a cellular network, such as a core network of a cellular service provider. The core network may provide mobility-related services and / or other services to multiple devices, such as the UE device 106. In some cases, the network port 470 may be coupled to a telephone network via the core network, and / or the core network may provide a telephone network (e.g., in other UE devices served by the cellular service provider).

[0126] The base station 102 may include a radio 430 having one or more RF chains. Each RF chain may include a transmit chain, a receive chain, or both. (For example, the base station 102 may include at least one RF chain per sector or cell.) The radio 430 is coupled to an antenna subsystem 434 including one or more antennas. Multiple antennas will be required, for example, to support applications such as MIMO or beamforming. The antenna subsystem 434 transmits and receives radio signals to / from the UE through a radio propagation medium (typically the atmosphere).

[0127] In some embodiments, processor 404 may include a baseband processor to generate downlink baseband signals and / or process uplink baseband signals. Baseband processor 430 may be configured to operate according to one or more wireless telecommunication standards (including but not limited to GSM, LTE, WCDMA, CDMA2000, etc.).

[0128] The one or more processors 404 of the base station 102 may be configured to implement part or all of the methods described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). In some embodiments, the processor 404 may include: a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array); or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit); or a combination thereof.

[0129] Improved throughput and radio resource utilization for user equipment with multiple SIMs

[0130] Various mechanisms are disclosed herein for improving throughput and / or radio resource utilization for user equipment having multiple SIMs and networks communicating with such user equipment.

[0131] In some embodiments, the wireless user equipment (UE) device 600 may be configured as follows: Figure 6 UE 600 may include: a radio subsystem 605 for performing wireless communications; a processing element 610 operatively coupled to the radio subsystem; and a plurality of subscriber identity modules (SIMs) 615. (UE 600 may include, for example, a combination of Figures 1 to 4 any subset of the above UE characteristics).

[0132] The radio subsystem 605 may include one or more RF chains, for example, as described above. Each RF chain may be configured to receive a signal from a radio propagation channel and / or transmit a signal to a radio propagation channel. Therefore, each RF chain may include a transmit chain and / or a receive chain. The radio subsystem 605 may be coupled to one or more antennas (or antenna arrays) to facilitate signal transmission and reception. Each RF chain (or some RF chains) may be tuned to a desired frequency, thereby allowing the RF chain to receive or transmit at different frequencies at different times.

[0133] Processing element 610 may be coupled to the radio subsystem and the plurality of SIMs and may be configured as described above. (For example, the processing element may be implemented by processor 302.) In some embodiments, the processing element may include one or more baseband processors to (a) generate baseband signals to be transmitted by the radio subsystem and / or (b) process baseband signals provided by the radio subsystem.

[0134] Multiple SIM cards 615 may include a first SIM 620 and a second SIM 625. Each SIM supports access to a corresponding wireless network. In other words, each SIM may subscribe to a corresponding operator. Each SIM may have a corresponding assigned mobile phone number. The operator associated with the first SIM may be the same as or different from the operator associated with the second SIM.

[0135] Processing element 610 may also be configured as described throughout the following sections.

[0136] In some embodiments, the wireless base station 700 of the first wireless network (not shown) may be configured as follows: Figure 7The wireless base station may include: a radio subsystem 705, the radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; and a processing element 710, the processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem. (The wireless base station may also include any subset of the above base station features, for example, the above combined Figure 5 Describes the characteristics.)

[0137] The radio subsystem 710 may include one or more RF chains. Each RF chain may be tuned to a desired frequency, allowing the RF chain to receive or transmit at different frequencies at different times.

[0138] Processing element 710 may be implemented as described above. For example, in one embodiment, processing element 710 may be implemented by processor 404. In some embodiments, the processing element may include one or more baseband processors to (a) generate baseband signals to be transmitted by the radio subsystem and / or (b) process baseband signals provided by the radio subsystem.

[0139] In some embodiments, the NW may be aware of the traffic patterns and service frequencies of the SIMs in the multi-SIM UE and provide coordinated configuration and / or scheduling for the multi-SIM UE.The SIMs may include at least a first SIM associated with the NW and a second SIM associated with another network.

[0140] In some embodiments, in order for the NW to know the traffic mode and service frequency of one or more SIMs, the NW may receive the traffic mode and / or service frequency via the UE NAS procedure. (NAS is an acronym for Non-Access Stratum.) The NW may establish associations between the SIMs and record the associations within the NW.

[0141] Alternatively, the UE may provide multi-SIM assistance information (such as traffic modes and / or serving frequencies) to the NW to allow the NW to perform coordinated configuration and / or scheduling. For example, the UE may provide information such as traffic modes of potential activities of the second SIM, where potential activities may include, for example, paging reception, SIB reception, idle mode measurements. (SIB is an acronym for system information block.) As another example, the UE may provide frequency domain information to the NW, such as the serving frequency of the second SIM. As yet another example, the UE may simply provide the NW with an indication that the UE is a multi-SIM device, which may enable the NW to avoid wasted effort if the UE does not follow the NW's scheduling instructions due to the activity of the second SIM.

[0142] In some embodiments, to provide coordinated configuration and / or scheduling for multi-SIM UEs, the NW may perform one or more of the following methods.

[0143] Method 1: The NW may provide the UE with a traffic mode (eg, DRX configuration) of the second SIM, and the UE may perform data reception and / or transmission of the first SIM based on the traffic mode, for example, as variously disclosed herein.

[0144] Method 2: The NW may reconfigure the UE to a serving cell with a frequency that enables the UE's RF hardware to perform simultaneous data transfer (transmit / receive) for both SIMs.

[0145] Method 3: The NW may configure the UE to perform autonomous rejection with a rejection probability, and the UE may autonomously reject the data transmission of the first SIM.

[0146] In some embodiments, the NW may provide coordinated configuration and / or scheduling for multi-SIM UEs operating in dual connectivity mode (e.g., in multi-RAT dual connectivity (MR-DC) mode or non-DC mode). For MR-DC mode, the coordination may be CG (cell group) specific, i.e., the coordination may be SCG or MCG specific, and the UE assistance information may also include the affected CG information (MCG / SCG). (SCG is the acronym for Second Cell Group. MCG is the acronym for Master Cell Group.)

[0147] In some embodiments, the first SIM and the second SIM may be associated with the same operator. In these embodiments, when the first SIM of the UE is in connected mode and the core network (CN) triggers paging of the second SIM, the NW may handle the paging of the second SIM using one or more of the following methods.

[0148] Method 1: The NW may deliver the paging of the second SIM in a conventional manner. The UE may perform paging reception of the second SIM.

[0149] Method 2: The NW can deliver the paging of the second SIM via a connection with the first SIM, for example, in an RRC signaling container for the first SIM, or in a new L2PDU for the paging indication including the information of the second SIM. (PDU is an acronym for Protocol Data Unit.)

[0150] Method 3: The NW may suspend paging of the second SIM and deliver paging after the first SIM connection is complete. Paging of the second SIM may be cached by the NW for a certain duration. While the timer is running, the caller may be notified that call establishment is being attempted while the called party is busy; thereafter, if the timer expires before the call can be established, the caller may be notified that the called party is busy and the call cannot be established.

[0151] Method 4: The NW can suspend paging of the second SIM and directly reply “User Busy” to the caller.

[0152] Reduce the impact of paging monitoring on connected mode performance

[0153] Assume that SIM-1 switches to connected mode while SIM-2 is in idle mode and performs paging monitoring according to the configured DRX cycle. When SIM-1 switches to connected mode, a data transfer session starts, for example, a high throughput data transfer session. However, the UE suspends SIM-1 in each DRX cycle to monitor the paging opportunity (or paging time) of SIM-2 and perform serving cell measurements, and depending on the channel conditions, measurements of intra-frequency, inter-frequency or inter-RAT neighbors, which may take 5 to 10 ms. During this period, the NW will continue to send DL data and also provide the UE with UL grants that the UE will not utilize. This results in HARQ retransmissions and radio resource waste on the NW side. In addition, the NW side will not receive a response (UL or ACK) during the tune-away period, which results in MCS reduction or context release (e.g., call drop).

[0154] Fig. 8A A default data transfer session 810 for SIM-1 is shown, which is periodically interrupted by transient time intervals (shown in solid black) where the RF chain used is tuned away by the UE (to a different frequency if SIM-2's carrier is different from SIM-1's carrier) in order to support monitoring of SIM-2's paging occasions 815. (Data transfers for session 810 will occur in the cross-hatched areas.) As shown at 805, any uplink grants to SIM-1 during the transient intervals will be wasted, and any downlink data transferred for SIM-1 during the transient intervals will be wasted because SIM-1 cannot control the RF chain during these time periods.

[0155] In some embodiments, the impact of paging monitoring on connected mode performance can be reduced by applying the following method.

[0156] The UE may notify the network (e.g., the network of SIM-1 and / or the network of SIM-2) of the multi-SIM capability during the registration process. SIM-1 may notify its carrier (denoted as Carrier SIM1 ) notifies SIM-2 of the paging schedule (e.g., via MAC-CE or higher layer procedures). Using the paging schedule, the carrier SIM1 Stop scheduling data for SIM-1 during the above instantaneous time intervals, and also stop SIM-1's DL data transmission during these instantaneous time intervals. In other words, Carrier SIM1 Provide a transfer session with pause schedule for SIM-1, such as Fig. 8A820. It should be noted that the instantaneous time intervals are now shown in white (rather than solid black) at 825 to indicate that they are no longer wasted time periods.

[0157] This approach can achieve certain benefits, such as the following. SIM2 UL grants can be allocated to other UEs and DL data retransmissions to SIM-2 are avoided during these gaps, which saves network resources. Retransmissions are reduced and there are no hitches in DL throughput (improved throughput and better user experience).

[0158] In some embodiments, methods for reducing the impact of paging monitoring on connected mode performance may be performed, such as Figure 8B When SIM-1 is in connected mode 855 and SIM-2 is in idle mode 860, the paging offset and DRX cycle length can be supplied from SIM-2 to SIM-1, as shown at 865. SIM-1 can then direct the tune-out scheduled transmission 870 to the carrier SIM1 The tune-away schedule may include information indicating a paging offset and a DRX cycle length. In response to receiving the tune-away schedule, the carrier SIM1 UL grants and DL data transmissions for SIM- 1 may be blocked based on the tune-away schedule, as shown at 875 .

[0159] Now think back Figure 6 In some embodiments, in response to determining that the first SIM 620 is entering or has entered a connected state and the second SIM 625 is entering or has entered an idle state, the processing element 610 may be configured to instruct the radio subsystem 605 to transmit paging schedule information to a wireless network corresponding to the first SIM. In an alternative embodiment, the processing element 610 may be configured to instruct the radio subsystem 605 to transmit the paging schedule information as part of a registration process for registering the UE device with a network associated with the first SIM 620.

[0160] The paging schedule information may indicate at least a periodic sequence of time intervals for monitoring paging from a wireless network corresponding to the second SIM. (The paging schedule information may also include a paging offset.)

[0161] In addition, during the connected state of the first SIM 620 and the idle state of the second SIM 625, the processing element can be configured to control the RF chain of the radio subsystem 605 to support the data transfer process of the first SIM and the paging monitoring of the second SIM. The paging monitoring is performed only during the time intervals of the periodic sequence. The data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction and occurs only outside the time intervals of the periodic sequence.

[0162] In the uplink direction, the data transfer process uses the RF chain to transmit data to a base station of the wireless network corresponding to the first SIM. Specifically, the processing element can provide a baseband signal carrying user data to the RF chain and instruct the RF chain to transmit a radio signal corresponding to the baseband signal. In the downlink direction, the data transfer process can receive data transmitted by the base station. Specifically, the processing element can instruct the RF chain to receive the radio signals transmitted by the base station and convert these radio signals into baseband signals. The processing element can recover the data from the baseband signal and provide the data to a higher protocol layer.

[0163] In some embodiments, at least one time interval is used to perform cell measurements on one or more cells of the wireless network of the second SIM. The processing element may report the measurement results to the wireless network of the second SIM during a time interval.

[0164] In some embodiments, the data transfer of the data transfer process is performed when the RF chain is tuned to the first frequency.For each time interval, the paging monitoring may include tuning the RF chain away from the first frequency to the second frequency during the time interval.

[0165] In some embodiments, the paging schedule information may include a DRX cycle value. In some embodiments, the paging schedule information may include a paging offset. In some embodiments, the paging schedule information may include a duration of a time interval.

[0166] In some embodiments, the wireless network corresponding to the first SIM and the wireless network corresponding to the second SIM belong to different operators.

[0167] In some embodiments, at least one SIM is an embedded SIM.

[0168] In some embodiments, a wireless user equipment (UE) device may include: a radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem; and a plurality of user identity modules (SIMs), each of which supports access to a corresponding wireless network; wherein the processing element is configured to: in response to determining that a first SIM is entering or has entered a connected state and a second SIM is entering or has entered an idle state, instruct the radio subsystem to transmit paging scheduling information to the wireless network corresponding to the first SIM, wherein the paging scheduling information indicates at least a periodic sequence of time intervals for monitoring paging from the wireless network corresponding to the second SIM; and during a connected state of the first SIM and an idle state of the second SIM, control the RF chain of the radio subsystem to support a data transfer process of the first SIM and paging monitoring of the second SIM, wherein the paging monitoring is performed only during time intervals of the periodic sequence, wherein the data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction and occurs only outside the time intervals of the periodic sequence.

[0169] In some embodiments, at least one time interval is also used to perform cell measurements on one or more cells of the wireless network of the second SIM.

[0170] In some embodiments, the data transfer of the data transfer process is performed when the RF chain is tuned to a first frequency, wherein for each of the time intervals, the paging monitoring includes tuning the RF chain away from the first frequency to a second frequency during the time interval.

[0171] In some embodiments, the paging scheduling information includes a DRX cycle value.

[0172] In some implementations, the paging schedule information includes a paging offset.

[0173] In some embodiments, the paging schedule information includes the duration of the time interval.

[0174] In some embodiments, the wireless network corresponding to the first SIM and the wireless network corresponding to the second SIM belong to different operators.

[0175] In some embodiments, at least one SIM is an embedded SIM.

[0176] In some embodiments, the method 880 for operating a wireless user equipment (UE) device having multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) may be configured as follows: Figure 8C The method may be performed by a processing element of a UE device (eg, as described above).

[0177] At 885, in response to determining that the first SIM is entering or has entered a connected state and the second SIM is entering or has entered an idle state, method 880 may instruct the wireless subsystem of the wireless UE device to transmit paging scheduling information to the wireless network corresponding to the first SIM, wherein the paging scheduling information indicates at least a sequence (e.g., a periodic sequence) of time intervals for monitoring paging from the wireless network corresponding to the second SIM.

[0178] At 890, during a connected state of the first SIM and an idle state of the second SIM, method 880 may control the RF chain of the radio subsystem to support a data transfer process of the first SIM and paging monitoring of the second SIM, wherein the paging monitoring is performed only during a time interval of a sequence, wherein the data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction and occurs only outside the time interval of the sequence.

[0179] In some embodiments, the paging schedule information may include a DRX cycle value. In some embodiments, the paging schedule information may include a paging offset. In some embodiments, the paging schedule information may include a duration of a time interval.

[0180] In some embodiments, the wireless network corresponding to the first SIM and the wireless network corresponding to the second SIM belong to different operators.

[0181] In some embodiments, a method for operating a wireless user equipment (UE) device having multiple user identity modules (SIMs) may include: in response to determining that a first SIM is entering or has entered a connected state and a second SIM is entering or has entered an idle state, instructing a radio subsystem of the wireless UE device to transmit paging scheduling information to a wireless network corresponding to the first SIM, wherein the paging scheduling information indicates at least a sequence (e.g., a periodic sequence) of time intervals for monitoring paging from the wireless network corresponding to the second SIM; and during a connected state of the first SIM and an idle state of the second SIM, controlling an RF chain of the radio subsystem to support a data transfer process of the first SIM and paging monitoring of the second SIM, wherein the paging monitoring is performed only during time intervals of the sequence, wherein the data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction and occurs only outside the time intervals of the sequence.

[0182] In some embodiments, the paging scheduling information includes a DRX cycle value.

[0183] In some implementations, the paging schedule information includes a paging offset.

[0184] In some embodiments, the paging schedule information includes the duration of the time interval.

[0185] In some embodiments, the wireless network corresponding to the first SIM and the wireless network corresponding to the second SIM belong to different operators.

[0186] Now think back Figure 7 Base station 700. The base station may be associated with (e.g., belong to) a first wireless network (not shown). In some embodiments, processing element 710 may be configured to receive paging scheduling information from a user equipment (UE) device. The paging scheduling information may indicate a sequence (e.g., a periodic sequence) of time intervals associated with a paging opportunity (or paging moment) of a second wireless network different from the first wireless network. In response to receiving the paging scheduling information, processing element 710 may be further configured to control the RF chain of radio subsystem 705 to support a data transfer process associated with the UE device. The data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction. Data transfer of the data transfer process is only scheduled outside the sequence of time intervals.

[0187] In some embodiments, the paging schedule information may include a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle value. In some embodiments, the paging schedule information may include a paging offset. In some embodiments, the paging schedule information may include a duration of a time interval.

[0188] In some embodiments, the processing element 710 may be further configured to schedule uplink resources to the second UE device within one or more time intervals of the sequence.

[0189] In some embodiments, base station 700 may also include an antenna subsystem including one or more antennas operably coupled to the radio subsystem. The antenna subsystem may facilitate transmission and / or reception of radio signals to / from a radio propagation medium.

[0190] In some embodiments, base station 700 may be configured as a master node or a slave node for dual connectivity with UE devices, for example, as described above and elsewhere below.

[0191] In some embodiments, a wireless base station of a first wireless network may include: a radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; and a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem, wherein the processing element is configured to: receive paging scheduling information from a user equipment (UE) device, wherein the paging scheduling information indicates a sequence (e.g., a periodic sequence) of time intervals associated with paging opportunities (or paging moments) of a second wireless network that is different from the first wireless network; and in response to receiving the paging scheduling information, control an RF chain of the radio subsystem to support a data transfer process associated with the UE device, wherein the data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction, wherein data transfer of the data transfer process is scheduled only outside the sequence of time intervals.

[0192] In some embodiments, the paging schedule information includes a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle value.

[0193] In some implementations, the paging schedule information includes a paging offset.

[0194] In some embodiments, the paging schedule information also includes the duration of the time interval.

[0195] In some embodiments, the processing element is further configured to schedule uplink resources to the second UE device within one or more time intervals of the sequence.

[0196] In some embodiments, the base station also includes an antenna subsystem including one or more antennas operably coupled to the radio subsystem.

[0197] In some embodiments, the wireless base station is configured as a master node or a slave node for dual connectivity with a UE device, for example, as variously described above and below.

[0198] Dual SIM dual connection handling

[0199] Assume that SIM-1 is in connected mode in EN-DC (E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity) or NR DC (New Radio Dual Connectivity) configuration. SIM-2 is in idle mode and monitors paging moments and performs measurements according to the configured DRX cycle. If an RF that has been mapped to the NR branch is tuned away from SIM-1 to SIM-2 during the paging moment, the tune-away may cause SCG (Secondary Cell Group), beam failure on the NR branch. This will cause throughput degradation on the NR branch.

[0200] In some embodiments, UE and network performance may be improved by applying the following methods.

[0201] Both the eNB and gNB (serving cell for SIM-1 in EN-DC) or both gNBs (serving cell for SIM-1 in NR-DC) are pre-informed of the DRX cycle and interruption time for SIM-2. The UE may also indicate to the gNB and eNB whether the NR branch or the LTE branch (in case of EN-DC) or which NR branch (in case of NR DC) is to be tuned away for paging monitoring of SIM-2.

[0202] In case of EN-DC, it may not be possible or desirable to tune away the RF mapped to the NR leg for paging monitoring of SIM-2, especially if it is on FR2. Instead, the RF mapped to the LTE leg should be tuned away to SIM-2. Therefore, the UE informs the network that the NR leg of SIM-1 will not be tuned away, and the network can continue to schedule the NR leg of UL and DL normally during the entire session.

[0203] If the two RF chains need to be tuned away due to implementation reasons (such as RF limitations depending on SIM-1 and SIM-2 frequencies), the UE can inform the network that the two RF frequencies (mapped to NR and LTE in case of EN-DC, or mapped to NR and NR in case of NR DC) are tuned away to allow the network to make effective scheduling decisions.

[0204] In case of EN-DC, if the RF mapped to the NR branch has to be tuned for any reason, the UE can inform the eNB and gNB accordingly.

[0205] This approach can achieve certain benefits, such as the following: The NW and UE can make optimal scheduling decisions because the NW knows the UE's preference as to which RF chain will be tuned away from the EN-DC (or NR DC) connection to monitor IDLE mode paging of another SIM.

[0206] Now think back Figure 6 In some embodiments, the processing element 610 may be configured to instruct the radio subsystem 605 to transmit paging schedule information to a first base station and a second base station (not shown) of a first wireless network corresponding to the first SIM 620. The paging schedule information may indicate a sequence (e.g., a periodic sequence) of time intervals for monitoring paging of a second wireless network corresponding to the second SIM 625.

[0207] In some embodiments, in a dual connection (DC) state of the first SIM 620 and an idle state of the second SIM 625, the processing element 610 may be further configured to control a first RF chain of the radio subsystem to support a first data transfer process of the first SIM 620 and paging monitoring of the second SIM 620. The first data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction.

[0208] The data transfer of the first data transfer process occurs outside (e.g., only outside) the time interval of the sequence. (Such a time constraint on the first data transfer process may be a result of the fact that the processing element 610 performs the data transfer of the first data transfer process in accordance with a scheduling decision made by a base station that cooperates to facilitate the first data transfer process, and the fact that the base station has stopped scheduling uplink and / or downlink resources for the first data transfer process within the time interval in response to having received the paging scheduling information.) Paging monitoring of the second SIM is performed during (e.g., only during) the time interval of the sequence.

[0209] In some embodiments, the processing element 610 can be further configured to instruct the radio subsystem 605 to transmit a selection indicator to the first base station and the second base station before the paging monitoring of the second SIM. The selection indicator indicates a selected base station among the first base station and the second base station, which will communicate with the first RF chain during the controlling of the first RF chain to support the data transfer process and the paging monitoring.

[0210] In some embodiments, in the DC state of the first SIM 620 and the idle state of the second SIM 625, the processing element 610 may be further configured to control the second RF chain of the radio subsystem 605 to support a second data transfer process of the first SIM 620. (The second data transfer process may have the same or opposite transfer direction as the first data transfer process.) However, in contrast to the first data transfer process, the second data transfer process is not affected by paging monitoring for the idle mode SIM, for example, Fig. 9 As shown in 916.

[0211] In some embodiments, in the DC state of the first SIM 620 and the idle state of the second SIM 625, the processing element 610 may be further configured to control the second RF chain of the radio subsystem 605 to support the second data transfer process of the first SIM 620 and the paging monitoring of the second SIM 625. (The second data transfer process may have the same or opposite transfer direction as the first data transfer process.) The data transfer of the second data transfer process occurs only outside the time interval of the sequence.

[0212] In some embodiments, the processing element 610 may be further configured to instruct the radio subsystem to transmit a selection indicator to the first base station and the second base station, wherein the selection indicator indicates that both the first RF chain and the second RF chain are subject to paging monitoring.

[0213] The first base station and the second base station may conform to the same or different radio access technologies. For example, one base station may be an LTE eNodeB and the other base station may be a gNB for 5G NR. As another example, both base stations may be gNBs for 5G NR.

[0214] In some embodiments, the paging schedule information may include a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle and / or an interruption time, wherein the interruption time indicates the length of each of the time intervals.

[0215] In some embodiments, in response to determining that the first SIM 620 is entering or has entered a dual connectivity (DC) state and the second SIM 625 is entering or has entered an idle state, an action of indicating a radio subsystem transmission selection indicator is performed.

[0216] In some embodiments, a wireless user equipment (UE) device may include: a radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem; and a plurality of user identity modules (SIMs), each of which supports access to a corresponding wireless network; wherein the processing element is configured to instruct the radio subsystem to transmit paging scheduling information to a first base station and a second base station of a first wireless network corresponding to a first SIM, wherein the paging scheduling information indicates a sequence (e.g., a periodic sequence) of time intervals for monitoring paging of a second wireless network corresponding to a second SIM.

[0217] In some embodiments, the processing element is further configured to: in a dual connection (DC) state of the first SIM and an idle state of the second SIM, control the first RF chain of the radio subsystem to support a first data transfer process of the first SIM and paging monitoring of the second SIM, wherein the first data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction, wherein the data transfer of the first data transfer process occurs only outside of a sequence of time intervals, and wherein the paging monitoring of the second SIM is performed only during the sequence of time intervals.

[0218] In some embodiments, the processing element is further configured to instruct the radio subsystem to transmit a selection indicator to the first base station and the second base station before the paging monitoring of the second SIM, wherein the selection indicator indicates a selected base station among the first base station and the second base station, which selected base station will communicate with the first RF chain during the controlling of the first RF chain to support the data transfer process and the paging monitoring.

[0219] In some embodiments, the processing element is further configured to: in the DC state of the first SIM and the idle state of the second SIM, control the second RF chain of the radio subsystem to support the second data transfer process of the first SIM and the paging monitoring of the second SIM, wherein the data transfer of the second data transfer process occurs only outside the time interval of the sequence.

[0220] In some embodiments, the processing element is further configured to instruct the radio subsystem to transmit a selection indicator to the first base station and the second base station, wherein the selection indicator indicates that both the first RF chain and the second RF chain are subject to paging monitoring.

[0221] The first base station and the second base station conform to the same or different radio access technologies.

[0222] In some embodiments, the paging schedule information includes a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle and an interruption time, wherein the interruption time indicates the length of each of the time intervals.

[0223] In some embodiments, the booting is performed in response to determining that the first SIM is entering or has entered a dual connectivity (DC) state and the second SIM is entering or has entered an idle state.

[0224] Now think back Figure 7 Base station 700. In some embodiments, processing element 710 may be configured to receive paging scheduling information and a node indicator from a user equipment (UE) device. The UE device may include multiple SIMs, for example, as described above. The paging scheduling information indicates a sequence (e.g., a periodic sequence) of time intervals associated with UE paging on an external wireless network different from the first wireless network. The node indicator may indicate a selected dual-connection node of two dual-connection nodes associated with the UE device.

[0225] In response to determining that the wireless base station is used as the selected dual-connection node, the processing element 710 can be further configured to perform a data transfer process for the UE device. The data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction. The data transfer of the data transfer process is scheduled only outside the time interval of the sequence.

[0226] In some embodiments, the two dual-connected nodes include a primary node belonging to a first radio access technology, and a secondary node belonging to a second radio access technology that is the same as or different from the first radio access technology.

[0227] In some embodiments, the processing element 710 may be further configured to schedule uplink and / or downlink resources for the second UE device during one or more time intervals.

[0228] In some embodiments, a wireless base station (for a first wireless network) may include: a radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem, wherein the processing element is configured to: (a) receive paging scheduling information and a node indicator from a user equipment (UE) device, wherein the paging scheduling information indicates a sequence (e.g., a periodic sequence) of time intervals associated with UE paging on an external wireless network different from the first wireless network, wherein the node indicator indicates a selected dual-connected node from two dual-connected nodes associated with the UE device; and (b) in response to determining that the wireless base station is used as a selected dual-connected node, perform a data transfer process for the UE device, wherein the data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction, wherein data transfer of the data transfer process is scheduled only outside the time intervals of the sequence.

[0229] In some embodiments, the two dual-connected nodes include a primary node belonging to a first radio access technology, and a secondary node belonging to a second radio access technology that is the same as or different from the first radio access technology.

[0230] In some embodiments, the processing element is further configured to schedule uplink and / or downlink resources for the second UE device during one or more time intervals.

[0231] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 -MCG and SCG handling for EN-DC SIM

[0232] Fig. 9 An embodiment of a multi-SIM user equipment (UE) 900 for MCG and SCG processing when one of the SIMs is in EN-DC state is shown. (MCG is an acronym for master cell group; SCG is an acronym for secondary cell group.) This embodiment can be described as a "monotone-off" embodiment.

[0233] UE 900 may include a first SIM 902 and a second SIM 904, for example, as described above. UE 900 may also include a first transceiver (TxRx1) 910 and a second transceiver (TxRx2) 912. Each transceiver may include a receiver chain and / or a transmitter chain. Each transceiver may be configured to quickly change the tuning frequency. In some embodiments, each transceiver may also be configured to quickly change the direction from transmission to reception, and vice versa.

[0234] The processor of the UE 900 operating in the EN-DC connection state 906 with respect to the first SIM 902 may instruct the first transceiver 910 to transfer data according to LTE and instruct the second transceiver 912 to transfer data according to NR. The first transceiver 910 may communicate signals with an LTE base station (not shown) in the positive slope cross-hatched area. The second transceiver 910 may communicate signals with a 5G NR base station (not shown) in the negative slope cross-hatched area.

[0235] As indicated at 909, the processor, also operating with respect to the idle state 908 of the second SIM 904, may instruct a selected one of the transceivers to monitor for paging of the second SIM, e.g., using 5G NR or any other radio access technology (RAT). Fig. 9 , the first transceiver 910 has been selected. As described above, the tune-away gap 914 (shown in solid black) is a time period during which paging monitoring and possibly measurements may be performed. Unselected transceivers are not affected by the tune-away gap.

[0236] The transceiver selection for tuning away gaps may be based on factors such as: the frequency and RAT of the connected mode RAT and the IDLE mode RAT (such as IntraFrequency); the impact on continuous data transfer; and the C-DRX gap of the two connected mode RATs. (DRX is an acronym for Discontinuous Reception Cycle. C-DRX is an acronym for ConnectedMode DRX.)

[0237] Fig.10 Another embodiment of a multi-SIM user equipment (UE) 1000 for MCG and SCG processing when one of the SIMs is in EN-DC state is shown. (MCG is an acronym for master cell group; SCG is an acronym for secondary cell group.) This embodiment can be described as a "dual tune-away" embodiment.

[0238] UE 1000 may include a first SIM 1002 and a second SIM 1004, for example, as described above. UE 1000 may also include a first transceiver (TxRx1) 1010 and a second transceiver (TxRx2) 1012. Each transceiver may include a receiver chain and / or a transmitter chain. Each transceiver may be configured to quickly change the tuning frequency. In some embodiments, each transceiver may also be configured to quickly change the direction from transmission to reception, and vice versa.

[0239] The processor of the UE 1000 operating in the EN-DC connection state 1006 with respect to the first SIM 1002 may instruct the first transceiver 1010 to transfer data according to LTE and instruct the second transceiver 1012 to transfer data according to NR. The first transceiver 1010 may communicate signals with an LTE base station (not shown) in the positively sloped cross-hatched area. The second transceiver 1010 may communicate signals with a 5G NR base station (not shown) in the negatively sloped cross-hatched area.

[0240] As indicated at 1009, the processor, also operating with respect to the idle state 1008 of the second SIM 1004, can instruct the two transceivers to tune away (e.g., in frequency) in accordance with a paging schedule associated with the operator of the second SIM in order to support paging monitoring for the second SIM card. (The paging monitoring can be performed in accordance with 5G NR or any other RAT.) As described above, the tune-away gap 1014 (shown in solid black) is a time period during which paging monitoring and possibly measurements can be performed.

[0241] UL scheduling for split bearers over EN-DC and multi-SIM UEs

[0242] Assume that SIM-1 is in connected mode in EN-DC configuration and split bearer is configured. SIM-2 is in idle mode and monitors paging occasions and performs measurements according to the configured DRX cycle.

[0243] During the paging occasion of SIM-2, if the RF from the NR leg or LTE leg of SIM-1 is tuned away to SIM-2, there will be an impact on the continued data transfer of SIM-1 on the victim leg. If SIM-1 is running a high throughput application, the tune-away gap will have a visible performance impact. Previously it was not possible to tune data away from the victim leg to the non-affected leg (of a separate bearer) in both UL and DL.

[0244] In some implementations, the UE and the network may avoid the above problems by applying the following methods.

[0245] The paging pattern of SIM-2 may be provided to the network of SIM-1 (in EN-DC configuration). In addition, the network of SIM-1 may be informed which dual connectivity leg to use to tune away to monitor paging on SIM-2.

[0246] The network allocates sufficient UL grants to the non-victim legs so that the UE can reroute the UL data from the victim leg to the non-victim leg. Likewise, the network can minimize the impact on the UE's downlink data flow by scheduling more DL data on the non-victim legs (compared to what it would have if there were no paging-related tune-aways on either leg) and stopping transmission on the victim leg during the PO gap. (PO is an acronym for Paging Occasion.)

[0247] This approach can achieve certain benefits, such as the following: The NW and UE can make efficient scheduling decisions to reduce throughput impact / degradation because the NW knows the UE's preference on which RF chain will be tuned away from the EN-DC connection to monitor IDLE mode paging of another SIM.

[0248] Now think back Figure 6 In some embodiments, the radio subsystem 605 may include multiple RF chains. In addition, in response to determining that the first SIM 620 is entering or has entered a dual connection (DC) state and the second SIM 625 is entering or has entered an idle state, the processing element 610 may: select one of the RF chains to be monitored for paging associated with the second SIM; and instruct the radio subsystem to transmit paging scheduling information and node selection information to the first wireless network corresponding to the first SIM. (The selection may be based on one or more criteria discussed above, for example.) The dual connection state is a state in which two base stations are connected to a wireless network.

[0249] The paging schedule information may indicate a sequence (e.g., a periodic sequence) of time intervals for monitoring for paging from a second wireless network corresponding to the second SIM. The node selection information may indicate a selection of one of two dual-connected nodes associated with the DC state of the first SIM. The selected dual-connected node is a node that communicates with the selected RF chain during at least a portion of the DC state of the first SIM and the idle state of the second SIM.

[0250] In some embodiments, the two dual-connected nodes may include a primary node of a first wireless network and a secondary node of the first wireless network. The primary node may conform to a first radio access technology, and the secondary node corresponds to a second radio access technology that is the same as or different from the first radio access technology. For example, the primary node may be an LTE eNB, and the secondary node may be a gNB of 5G NR.

[0251] In some embodiments, the processing element may be further configured to control the selected RF chain to support the data transfer process of the first SIM and the monitoring of the paging of the second wireless network from the second SIM. The data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction. The data transfer of the data transfer process is performed only outside the time interval of the sequence. The action of monitoring the paging occurs only within the time interval of the sequence.

[0252] In some embodiments, a wireless user equipment (UE) device may include: a radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; wherein the radio subsystem includes a plurality of RF chains; a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem; and a plurality of subscriber identity modules (SIMs), wherein each subscriber identity module supports access to a corresponding wireless network. The processing element is configured to: in response to determining that a first SIM is entering or has entered a dual connectivity (DC) state and a second SIM is entering or has entered an idle state, (a) select one of the RF chains to be subject to monitoring for paging associated with the second SIM, and (b) instruct the radio subsystem to transmit paging schedule information and node selection information to a first wireless network corresponding to the first SIM, wherein the paging schedule information indicates a sequence (e.g., a periodic sequence) of time intervals for monitoring for paging from a second wireless network corresponding to the second SIM, wherein the node selection information indicates a selection of one of two dual connectivity nodes associated with the DC state of the first SIM, wherein the selected dual connectivity node communicates with the selected RF chain during at least a portion of the dual connectivity state of the first SIM and the idle state of the second SIM.

[0253] In some embodiments, the two dual-connected nodes include a primary node of the first wireless network and a secondary node of the first wireless network.

[0254] In some embodiments, the primary node conforms to a first radio access technology and the secondary node corresponds to a second radio access technology that is the same as or different from the first radio access technology.

[0255] In some embodiments, the processing element is further configured to: control the selected RF chain to support a data transfer process of the first SIM and the monitoring of paging from the second wireless network of the second SIM, wherein the data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction, wherein data transfer of the data transfer process is performed only outside of a sequence of time intervals, and wherein the monitoring of paging occurs only within a sequence of time intervals.

[0256] In some embodiments, network node 110 may be configured as follows Fig.11As shown. The network node may belong to a first wireless network. The network node may include: an interface 1110 to a first base station 1120 of the first wireless network; an interface 1115 to a second base station 1125 of the first wireless network; and a processing element 1130 operatively coupled to the interface.

[0257] The processing element may be configured to receive paging schedule information and node selection information originating from a wireless user equipment (UE) device via interface 1110 or interface 1115. The paging schedule information may indicate a sequence of time intervals (e.g., a periodic sequence). The node selection information may also indicate a selection of base station 1120 or base station 1125.

[0258] In response to receiving the paging scheduling information and the node selection information, the processing element 1130 can be configured to instruct the selected base station to avoid scheduling communication resources for the UE device during the time interval of the sequence, and to instruct the unselected base stations in the first base station and the second base station to increase the rate at which communication resources are scheduled for the UE device. These instructions can be transmitted to the selected base station and the unselected base station via interfaces 1110 and 1115.

[0259] In some embodiments, the network node 1100 further includes a third interface (not shown) configured to receive a user data stream for a UE device. The processing element may be further configured to send a first portion of the user data stream to a selected base station and a second portion of the user data stream to an unselected base station. In response to receiving the paging scheduling information and the node selection information, the processing element may be further configured to reduce the first portion of the downlink user data stream to the selected base station and increase the second portion of the downlink user data stream to the unselected base station.

[0260] In some embodiments, the processing element may be further configured to direct the selected base station to schedule uplink resources for the second UE device during one or more time intervals of the sequence.

[0261] In some embodiments, a network node in a first wireless network may include: a first interface to a first base station of the first wireless network; a second interface to a second base station of the first wireless network; and a processing element configured to: receive paging scheduling information and node selection information from a user equipment (UE) device via the first interface or the second interface, wherein the paging scheduling information indicates a sequence of time intervals (e.g., a periodic sequence), wherein the node selection information indicates a selection of a first base station or a second base station; and in response to receiving the paging scheduling information and the node selection information, instruct the selected base station to avoid scheduling communication resources for the UE device during the time intervals of the sequence, and instruct unselected base stations among the first base station and the second base station to increase the rate at which communication resources are scheduled for the UE device.

[0262] In some embodiments, the network node also includes a third interface configured to receive a user data stream for a UE device, wherein the processing unit is further configured to send a first portion of the user data stream to a selected base station and a second portion of the user data stream to an unselected base station; wherein in response to receiving paging scheduling information and node selection information, the processing element is further configured to reduce the first portion of the downlink user data stream to the selected base station and increase the second portion of the downlink user data stream to the unselected base station.

[0263] In some embodiments, the processing element is further configured to direct the selected base station to schedule uplink resources for the second UE device during one or more time intervals of the sequence.

[0264] Reduce paging resources for multi-SIM devices

[0265] It is assumed that a multi-SIM UE device is designed so that only one SIM can be actively connected at any given time. Such a device may be referred to as a single-active device. A dual-SIM dual-standby (DSDS) device is an example of a single-active device. If one SIM is in a call, the single-active device will not respond to paging. However, the network side will continue to page the UE device, which is a waste of paging resources. The mobile originating (MO) side eventually sends a message indicating "paging unreachable", which may mislead the MO user into thinking that the UE device has coverage issues.

[0266] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned problems may be solved by the following method, especially if two or more SIMs in a multi-SIM UE device are registered with the same operator.

[0267] A multi-SIM UE device sends information indicating two or more SIMs in the UE to the network during a registration process (e.g., using non-access stratum (NAS) signaling). The network may bind these SIMs (e.g., associate these SIMs with the UE) at the core network. If one SIM is in a call, the network does not page the UE when it receives an incoming call associated with any other SIM, in order to avoid wasting paging resources for a UE that will be unresponsive. (The network may reply to the incoming call initiator with a message indicating "user busy.") Alternatively, the network may start a "wait" timer to defer paging, e.g., until the call under the first SIM is more likely to have ended.

[0268] In response to an incoming call, the network may cross-check to determine if the "device" is busy, rather than if the "user / SIM" is busy.

[0269] Even if the SIMs in a multi-SIM UE device subscribe to different operators, the above method can be adopted if core network coordination between different operators is possible.

[0270] The above method can save paging resources; improve the key performance indicator (KPI) of the network by reducing false declarations of "user unreachable"; and improve the user experience.

[0271] Now think back Figure 6 A wireless user device 600. In some embodiments, the first SIM 620 and the second SIM 625 can be registered to the same wireless network. In addition, the processing element 610 can be configured to instruct the radio subsystem to transmit the first SIM information contained in the first SIM 620 and the second SIM information contained in the second SIM 625 to the wireless network during the process for registering the wireless UE device to the wireless network. The action of instructing the radio system to transmit the first SIM information and the second SIM information can be performed in response to determining that the wireless UE device is a single-active device (e.g., a dual-SIM dual standby (DSDS) device). The first SIM information and the second SIM information can be transmitted to a network node (e.g., a node of a network core) via a base station of the wireless network.

[0272] In some embodiments, after completing the first call with respect to the first SIM 620, the processing element 610 can be configured to: receive a paging message from the wireless network, wherein the paging message indicates that a second call to the mobile number of the second SIM is incoming; and in response to receiving the paging message, connect to the wireless network to receive the second call. (The first call and the second call may be telephone calls.)

[0273] In some embodiments, after completing the first call to the first SIM, the processing element 610 can be configured to receive a call attempt notification from the wireless network. The call attempt notification indicates that a second call was attempted to the mobile number of the second SIM 625 during the first call. The processing element can be further configured to display the call attempt notification on a display of the wireless UE device.

[0274] In some embodiments, a wireless user equipment (UE) device may include: a radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem; and a first user identity module (SIM) and a second SIM, wherein the first SIM and the second SIM are registered to the same wireless network; wherein the processing element is configured to: in response to determining that the wireless UE device is a single-valid device, during a process for registering the wireless UE device with the wireless network, instruct the radio subsystem to transmit first SIM information contained in the first SIM and second SIM information contained in the second SIM to the wireless network.

[0275] In some embodiments, the processing element is further configured to: after completing the first call relative to the first SIM, receive a paging message from the wireless network, wherein the paging message indicates that a second call to the mobile number of the second SIM is incoming; and in response to receiving the paging message, connect to the wireless network to receive the second call.

[0276] In some embodiments, the processing element is further configured to: after completing the first call relative to the first SIM, receive a call attempt notification from the wireless network, wherein the call attempt notification indicates that a second call was attempted to the mobile number of the second SIM during the first call, and display the call attempt notification on a display of the wireless UE device.

[0277] In some embodiments, a network node 1200 in a wireless network may be configured as follows: Fig.12 As shown. The network node may include: an interface 1210 to a base station 1220 of a wireless network; and a processing element 1230, which is operatively coupled to the interface 1210. (The network node may also include a second interface coupled to one or more other nodes of the wireless network, the Internet, the PSTN, or any combination of the foregoing. The network node may be configured to receive incoming calls and / or make outgoing calls on behalf of the UE device via the second interface.) The processing element 1230 may be configured to: receive first SIM information and second SIM information from a multi-SIM user equipment (UE) device via the interface; and create a data record for the multi-SIM UE device, wherein the data record is linked to the first SIM information and the second SIM information. In response to establishing a first call to or from a first mobile number associated with the first SIM information, the processing element may set the data record to a busy state. In response to receiving a second call to a second mobile number associated with the second SIM information while the data record is in a busy state, the processing element may send a response message to the originating device of the second call and avoid paging the second mobile number for at least a certain period of time. The response message may indicate that the user of the multi-SIM UE device is busy.

[0278] In some embodiments, the processing element may be further configured to start a wait timer in response to receiving the second call, and delay the paging attempt to the second mobile number until the wait timer has expired.

[0279] In some embodiments, the processing element may be further configured to: in response to determining that the first call has terminated, reset the data record to a free state; and in response to receiving a third call to the second mobile number while the data record is in the free state, page the second mobile number.

[0280] In some embodiments, a network node in a wireless network may include: an interface to a base station of the wireless network; and a processing element operatively coupled to the interface and configured to: receive first SIM information and second SIM information from a multi-SIM user equipment (UE) device via the interface; create a data record for the multi-SIM UE device, wherein the data record is linked to the first SIM information and the second SIM information; in response to establishing a first call to or from a first mobile number associated with the first SIM information, set the data record to a busy state; and in response to receiving a second call to a second mobile number associated with the second SIM information while the data record is in a busy state, send a response message to the originating device of the second call and avoid paging the second mobile number for at least a certain period of time, wherein the response message indicates that the user of the multi-SIM UE device is busy.

[0281] In some embodiments, the processing element is further configured to start a wait timer in response to receiving the second call, and delay the paging attempt to the second mobile number until the wait timer has expired.

[0282] In some embodiments, the processing element is further configured to: in response to determining that the first call has terminated, reset the data record to a free state; and in response to receiving a third call to the second mobile number while the data record is in the free state, page the second mobile number.

[0283] Fig.13

[0284] In some embodiments, a method 1300 for operating a network node in a first wireless network may include: Fig.13 The operations shown. (Method 1300 may also include the above combination Figures 1 to 12 or any subset of the features disclosed below in conjunction with the following figures.) The network node may be a node in the core of a first wireless network. The network node may include: an interface to one or more base stations of the first wireless network; and a processing element operatively coupled to the interface. The processing element may be configured to perform the operations of the method.

[0285] At 1310, a processing element may receive, via an interface, an indication that a user equipment (UE) device has at least a first subscriber identity module (SIM) and a second SIM, wherein a first wireless network is associated with the first SIM. The UE device may transmit the indication to a network node via a base station in the first wireless network.

[0286] At 1315, the processing element may receive, via the interface, a serving frequency of a second wireless network associated with the second SIM, wherein the second wireless network is different from the first wireless network. The UE device may transmit the serving frequency to the network node via a base station in the first wireless network. In some embodiments, the indication and the serving frequency are transmitted by the UE device as part of a single message.

[0287] At 1320, the processing element may select a serving frequency of the first wireless network for use by the UE device based at least in part on a serving frequency of the second wireless network, wherein the serving frequency of the first wireless network is selected from a set of available frequencies of the first wireless network to increase a retuning efficiency of radio hardware (e.g., an RF chain) in the UE device. The radio hardware may include an RF chain of the UE device (e.g., as described above at various locations). The retuning efficiency may be interpreted as the inverse of the time required for the radio hardware to retune from one frequency to another frequency. The retuning efficiency may depend on the values ​​of the starting frequency and the target frequency.

[0288] At 1325, the processing element may transmit a reconfiguration message to the UE device via the interface, wherein the reconfiguration message includes the selected serving frequency of the first wireless network, wherein the reconfiguration message includes instructions for tuning the radio hardware to the selected serving frequency for connection state data transfer of the first SIM.

[0289] In some embodiments, method 1300 may also include transmitting a configuration message to a first base station among the one or more base stations via an interface, wherein the configuration message is an instruction instructing the first base station to tune the RF chain of the first base station to a selected frequency to support connection state data transfer of the first SIM.

[0290] Any of a variety of protocols may be used to receive the serving frequency of the second wireless network. For example, in some embodiments, non-access stratum (NAS) signaling is used to receive the serving frequency. In other embodiments, access stratum (AS) signaling is used to receive the serving frequency.

[0291] Fig.14

[0292] In some embodiments, a method 1400 for operating a wireless user equipment (UE) device may include: Fig.14 The operations shown in . (Method 1400 may also include the above combination Figures 1 to 13 or any subset of the features disclosed below in combination with the following figures.) The UE device may include: a radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem; and a plurality of subscriber identity modules (SIMs), wherein each subscriber identity module supports access to a corresponding wireless network. (In some embodiments, the UE device may include the above combined Figure 4 and / or Figure 6 ) The processing element may be configured to perform the operations of method 1400. The processing element may use the radio subsystem to perform receive and / or transmit operations, for example, by receiving baseband signals and / or providing baseband signals to the radio subsystem, and controlling the state of the radio subsystem by asserting control signals.

[0293] At 1410, the processing element may receive a reconfiguration message from a first wireless network corresponding to a first SIM.

[0294] At 1415, in response to receiving the reconfiguration message, the processing element can reconfigure the serving cell frequency for the first SIM's data connection with the first wireless network to reduce or eliminate frequency retuning events on the RF chain supporting the first SIM's data connection and monitoring for paging of the second wireless network associated with the second SIM.

[0295] In some embodiments, the serving cell frequency used for the data connection may be reconfigured from the current frequency to the frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message.

[0296] In some implementations, the frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message is a serving cell frequency of the second wireless network.

[0297] In some embodiments, the frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message may have the property that the time required to tune the RF chain away from the indicated frequency to a second frequency for said monitoring is less than the time required to tune the RF chain away from a current frequency to the second frequency.

[0298] In some embodiments, the processing element may be configured to direct transmissions of one or more serving frequencies of a second wireless network associated with the second SIM to the first wireless network.

[0299] Fig.15A and Fig. 15B - Voluntary refusal

[0300] In some embodiments, a method 1500 for operating a wireless user equipment (UE) device may include: Fig.15A The operations shown. (Method 1500 may also include the above combination Figures 1 to 14or any subset of the features disclosed below in combination with the following figures. ) A wireless UE device may include: a radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem; and a plurality of subscriber identity modules (SIMs), wherein each subscriber identity module supports access to a corresponding wireless network, wherein a first SIM is associated with a first wireless network, and wherein a second SIM is associated with a second wireless network different from the first wireless network. (In some embodiments, the UE device may include the above in combination Figure 4 and / or Figure 6 Any features described. ) The processing element can be configured to perform the operations of method 1500.

[0301] At 1510, the processing element may receive a configuration message from a first wireless network, wherein the configuration message includes an indication of a rejection probability threshold.

[0302] At 1515, the processing element may, in response to receiving the configuration message, control a percentage of time that the RF chain of the radio subsystem is tuned away from a first frequency corresponding to a connection with a first wireless network to a second frequency of a second wireless network, wherein the control is based on (e.g., limited by) a rejection probability threshold. The connection with the first wireless network is associated with a connection state of the first SIM. As part of the control, the processing element may autonomously determine which scheduled transfers of the connection will be rejected based on the rejection probability threshold. For example, by deciding to tune the RF chain away from the first frequency, the processing element may reject an uplink transfer (its connection) from the first SIM or reject a downlink transfer (its connection) for the first SIM. The processing element may limit the percentage of time that the RF chain is tuned away from the first frequency so that the percentage does not exceed the rejection probability threshold. (Where a non-strict inequality ≤ is mentioned in this disclosure, it should be understood that an alternative implementation may utilize a strict inequality <. Similarly, where a non-strict inequality ≥ is mentioned, an alternative implementation may utilize a strict inequality >.)

[0303] In some embodiments, the processing element may be configured to perform the controlling such that a probability of losing grant of uplink resources with respect to the connection with the first wireless network does not exceed a rejection probability threshold.

[0304] In some embodiments, the processing element may be configured to perform the controlling such that a probability of missing a downlink transmission with respect to the connection with the first wireless network does not exceed a rejection probability threshold.

[0305] In some embodiments, the processing element may be configured to instruct the radio subsystem to transmit a device type indication to the first wireless network, wherein the device type indication indicates that the UE device has multiple SIMs. The first wireless network may transmit a configuration message to the UE device in response to receiving the device type indication.

[0306] In some implementations, the configuration message may be received using the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol.

[0307] In some embodiments, an autonomous rejection process such as method 1500 can provide benefits such as the following. It can help NWs (e.g., Fig. 15B NW2) controls the scheduling loss probability due to multi-SIM UE devices. Otherwise, the NW may have little or no knowledge of the scheduling loss probability. It can enable the NW to more accurately evaluate the NW / UE scheduling performance. For example, for a 1% autonomous rejection probability configuration for multi-SIM UEs, if the total probability of scheduling loss is 21%, the NW can exclude the problem of multi-SIM UEs and adjust the probability to 20%, which can be further considered for NW deployment optimization.

[0308] As an example of an autonomous rejection process, the NW may provide the UE with an autonomous rejection configuration via the SIM-1 connection. Thus, the UE may be allowed to reject 2 schedules / transmissions within 200ms (corresponding to a 1% probability). When the NW evaluates the UE scheduling performance, the NW may exclude the 1% of multi-SIM UE issues from the statistics.

[0309] Fig. 15B An autonomous rejection process according to some embodiments is shown. A UE device 1550 includes a first SIM (SIM1) and a second SIM (SIM2). The first SIM is associated with a first network (NW1) and the second SIM is associated with a second network (NW2). The first SIM may be in an idle state 1555 and the second SIM may be in a connected state 1560. The second SIM may establish a radio resource control (RRC) connection 1565 with the first network. The second network may receive UE assistance information 1570 from the second SIM (or from a UE device operating on behalf of the second SIM). The UE assistance information may include an indication that the UE device is a multi-SIM device (i.e., a device having more than one SIM). (In some embodiments, the second network may operate without any further information about the SIMs in the UE device.)

[0310] In response to the UE assistance information, the second network (NW2) may send RRC configuration information 1575, thereby enabling the UE device (or second SIM) to configure itself for autonomous rejection of data transfers (e.g., scheduled transfers) under the second SIM. The RRC configuration information may include a rejection probability threshold. The rejection probability threshold may be expressed in various forms, for example, in terms of a validity period 1580 and a rejection subframe time. For example, a validity period of 200ms and a rejection subframe time of 2ms would correspond to a rejection probability threshold of 1% = 2 / 200. The rejection subframe time limits the amount of time that the RF chain of the UE device is tuned away from the connection of the second SIM to the service idle mode activities 1585 of the first SIM (such as paging measurements and system information decoding). Thus, the number of scheduled transfers of the second SIM connection that are missed is limited. Fig. 15B As shown, two scheduled transitions (S1 and S2) are missed, as indicated by the X marks. Thus, the second network can control the negative impact on the second SIM connection via the rejection probability.

[0311] Fig.16 -Dual connection

[0312] In some embodiments, a method 1600 for operating a wireless user equipment (UE) device may include: Fig.16 The operations shown in . (Method 1600 may also include the above combination Figure 1 to Figure 1 5 or any subset of the features disclosed below in combination with the following figures. ) A wireless UE device may include: a radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem; and a plurality of subscriber identity modules (SIMs), each of which may support access to a corresponding wireless network, wherein the SIMs include a first SIM and a second SIM. (In some embodiments, the UE device may include the above combined Figure 4 and / or Figure 6 Any subset of the disclosed features. ) The processing element may be configured to perform the operations of method 1600.

[0313] At 1610 , the processing element may select at least one of a first RF chain or a second RF chain of a radio subsystem to be subject to idle mode activity of a second SIM during a dual connection (DC) state of a first SIM, eg, as described above.

[0314] At 1615, the processing element may instruct the radio subsystem to transmit a selection indicator to a first wireless network associated with the first SIM, wherein the selection indicator indicates a selection of at least one of a primary cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG) associated with a dual connectivity state of the first SIM, wherein the selection indicated by the selection indicator is determined based on the selection (i.e., the result of the selection) of at least one of the first RF chain or the second RF chain. For example, if the selection operation 1610 selects the first RF chain, the selection indicator may indicate a cell group (MCG or SCG) associated with (or assigned to) the first RF chain.

[0315] In some embodiments, the method 1600 may further include instructing the radio subsystem to transmit active mode information to the first wireless network, wherein the active mode information indicates a sequence (e.g., a periodic sequence) of time intervals for performing the idle mode activity, wherein the idle mode activity includes one or more of paging monitoring, system information block (SIB) decoding, and idle mode measurement. The first wireless network may instruct the selected cell group (MCG or SCG) of the dual connectivity state to avoid scheduling downlink and / or uplink transmissions of the dual connectivity state of the first SIM during the time interval.

[0316] In some embodiments, method 1600 may also include instructing the radio subsystem to transmit a frequency of a serving cell of the second wireless network corresponding to the second SIM. The serving cell frequency may be transmitted to the first wireless network and used, for example, as described elsewhere above.

[0317] In some embodiments, only one of the first RF chain and the second RF chain is selected for subjecting the idle mode activity of the second SIM. In these embodiments, method 1600 may also include: in the DC state of the first SIM and the idle state of the second SIM, controlling the selected RF chain to support a first data transfer process for the dual connection state of the first SIM and the idle mode activity of the second SIM, wherein the first data transfer process has an uplink direction or a downlink direction.

[0318] In some embodiments, the method 1600 may further include: in the DC state of the first SIM and the idle state of the second SIM, controlling an unselected RF chain of the first RF chain and the second RF chain to support a second data transfer process for the DC state of the first SIM, wherein in the DC state of the first SIM and the idle state of the second SIM, the unselected RF chain is not subject to the idle mode activity of the second SIM. The second data transfer process may have the same or opposite transfer direction (uplink or downlink) as the first data transfer process.

[0319] In some embodiments, both the first RF chain and the second RF chain are selected for subjecting the idle mode activity of the second SIM. In these embodiments, the method 1600 may also include: in the DC state of the first SIM and the idle state of the second SIM, controlling each of the first RF chain and the second RF chain to support the corresponding data transfer process of the first SIM and the idle mode activity of the second SIM.

[0320] In some embodiments, the first base station and the second base station may conform to different (or the same) radio access technologies (RATs). For example, in the context of EN-DC (E-UTRA NR dual connectivity), one of the base stations will be an LTE base station (eNB) and the other will be a 5G NR base station (gNB).

[0321] In some embodiments, the paging schedule information may include one or more of: a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle; a paging offset; and an interruption time indicating the length of each of the time intervals.

[0322] Fig.17

[0323] In some embodiments, a method 1700 for operating a network node in a wireless network may include: Fig.17 The operations shown. (Method 1700 may also include the above combination Figures 1 to 16 or any subset of the features disclosed below in conjunction with the following figures.) The network node may be a node in a core network of a wireless network. The network node may include: an interface to a base station of the wireless network; and a processing element operatively coupled to the interface. The processing element may be configured to perform the operations of method 1700.

[0324] At 1710, a processing element may create a data record for a UE device having multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs), wherein the data record is linked to first SIM information and second SIM information of the UE device. The first SIM information corresponds to a first SIM of the UE device, and the second SIM information corresponds to a second SIM of the UE device. The data record may be stored in a memory of the network node.

[0325] At 1715, the processing element may set the data record to a busy state in response to establishing a first call to or from a first mobile number associated with the first SIM information. The network node may include a second interface to one or more other nodes of a wireless network, the Internet, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), or any combination of the foregoing. The network node may receive an incoming call via the second interface and / or make an outgoing call (on behalf of the UE device) via the second interface.

[0326] At 1720, the processing element may refrain from paging the second mobile number for at least a certain period of time in response to receiving a second call for the second mobile number associated with the second SIM information while the data record is in the busy state.

[0327] In some embodiments, method 1700 may further include receiving the first SIM information and the second SIM information from a user equipment (UE) device via an interface.

[0328] In some embodiments, method 1700 may further include: in response to receiving the second call while the data record is in a busy state, sending a response message to the originating device of the second call, wherein the response message indicates that the user of the UE device is busy.

[0329] In some embodiments, method 1700 may further include starting a wait timer in response to receiving the second call, and delaying a paging attempt to the second mobile number until the wait timer has expired.

[0330] In some embodiments, method 1700 may also include: starting a waiting timer in response to receiving a second call; and while the waiting timer is running, monitoring the end of the first call so as to attempt to establish the second call after the end of the first call, and / or sending a response message to the originating device of the second call to indicate that the establishment of the second call is being attempted.

[0331] In some embodiments, method 1700 may further include, in response to the wait timer expiring before the first call ends, sending another response message to the originating device of the second call, thereby indicating that the user of the UE device is busy.

[0332] In some embodiments, method 1700 may also include: in response to determining that the first call has terminated, resetting the data record to a free state; and in response to receiving a third call to the second mobile number while the data record is in the free state, paging the second mobile number.

[0333] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in any of a variety of forms. For example, some embodiments may be implemented as computer-implemented methods, computer-readable storage media, or computer systems. Other embodiments may be implemented using one or more custom-designed hardware devices such as ASICs. Other embodiments may be implemented using one or more programmable hardware elements such as FPGAs.

[0334] In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be configured such that it stores program instructions and / or data, wherein if the program instructions are executed by a computer system, the computer system is caused to perform a method, such as any one of the method embodiments described herein, or any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such subsets.

[0335] In some embodiments, the computer system may be configured to include a processor (or a group of processors) and a memory medium, wherein the memory medium stores program instructions, wherein the processor is configured to read and execute program instructions from the memory medium, wherein the executable program instructions are to implement any of the various method embodiments described herein (or any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or any subset of any method embodiments described herein, or any combination of such subsets). The computer system may be implemented in any of various forms. For example, the computer system may be a personal computer (in any of its various implementations), a workstation, a computer on a card, a dedicated computer in a box, a server computer, a client computer, a handheld device, a user equipment (UE), a tablet computer, a wearable computer, etc.

[0336] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of the authorized use should be clearly stated to users.

[0337] Although the above embodiments have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to encompass all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. A wireless user equipment UE device, comprising: A radio subsystem for performing wireless communications; a processing element operatively coupled to the radio subsystem; a plurality of subscriber identity modules SIM, wherein each of the subscriber identity modules supports access to a corresponding wireless network; The processing element is configured to: receiving a reconfiguration message from a first wireless network corresponding to a first one of the SIMs; In response to receiving the reconfiguration message, reconfigure a serving cell frequency for the first SIM's data connection with the first wireless network to reduce or eliminate frequency retuning events on an RF chain supporting both the first SIM's data connection and monitoring for paging of a second wireless network associated with a second SIM among the SIMs.

2. The wireless UE device of claim 1, wherein the serving cell frequency used for the data connection is reconfigured from a current frequency to a frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message.

3. The wireless UE device of claim 2, wherein the frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message is a serving cell frequency of the second wireless network.

4. A wireless UE device according to claim 2, wherein the frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message has the following property: the time required to tune the RF chain away from the indicated frequency to a second frequency used for the monitoring is less than the time required to tune the RF chain away from the current frequency to the second frequency.

5. The wireless UE device of claim 1 , wherein the processing element is configured to: Transmissions on one or more serving frequencies of the second wireless network associated with the second SIM are directed to the first wireless network.

6. A method performed by a wireless user equipment (UE) device, the wireless UE device comprising a plurality of subscriber identity modules (SIMs), each SIM supporting access to a corresponding wireless network, the method comprising: receiving a reconfiguration message from a first wireless network corresponding to a first one of the SIMs; In response to receiving the reconfiguration message, reconfigure a serving cell frequency for the first SIM's data connection with the first wireless network to reduce or eliminate frequency retuning events on an RF chain supporting both the first SIM's data connection and monitoring for paging of a second wireless network associated with a second SIM among the SIMs.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the serving cell frequency used for the data connection is reconfigured from a current frequency to a frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message is a serving cell frequency of the second wireless network.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message has the following property: a time required to tune the RF chain away from the indicated frequency to a second frequency used for the monitoring is less than a time required to tune the RF chain away from the current frequency to the second frequency.

10. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: Transmissions on one or more serving frequencies of the second wireless network associated with the second SIM are directed to the first wireless network.

11. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: The baseband processor is configured to, when executing instructions stored in the memory, perform operations including: receiving a reconfiguration message from a first wireless network corresponding to a first SIM of a plurality of subscriber identity modules SIMs; In response to receiving the reconfiguration message, reconfigure a serving cell frequency for the first SIM's data connection with the first wireless network to reduce or eliminate frequency retuning events on an RF chain supporting both the first SIM's data connection and monitoring for pages of a second wireless network associated with a second SIM among the SIMs.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the serving cell frequency used for the data connection is reconfigured from a current frequency to a frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message is a serving cell frequency of the second wireless network.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message has the following property: a time required to tune the RF chain away from the indicated frequency to a second frequency for the monitoring is less than a time required to tune the RF chain away from the current frequency to the second frequency.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the baseband processor is further configured to: Transmissions on one or more serving frequencies of the second wireless network associated with the second SIM are directed to the first wireless network.

16. A method performed by a network node in communication with a wireless user equipment (UE) device, the wireless UE device comprising a plurality of subscriber identity modules (SIMs), each SIM supporting access to a corresponding wireless network, the method comprising: A reconfiguration message from a first wireless network corresponding to a first SIM in the SIMs is encoded for transmission to the wireless UE device, wherein the reconfiguration message can be used to reconfigure a serving cell frequency for a data connection between the first SIM and the first wireless network to reduce or eliminate frequency retuning events on an RF chain supporting both the data connection for the first SIM and monitoring for paging of a second wireless network associated with a second SIM in the SIMs.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the serving cell frequency used for the data connection is reconfigured from a current frequency to a frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message is a serving cell frequency of the second wireless network.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the frequency indicated by the reconfiguration message has the following property: a time required to tune the RF chain away from the indicated frequency to a second frequency used for the monitoring is less than a time required to tune the RF chain away from the current frequency to the second frequency.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the wireless UE device is configured to direct transmissions of one or more serving frequencies of the second wireless network associated with the second SIM to the first wireless network.

21. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising program instructions stored thereon, wherein when the program instructions are executed by a user equipment (UE) device, the UE device is caused to perform the method according to any one of claims 6-10.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a network node, cause the network node to perform the method according to any one of claims 16-20.

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