Simultaneous receiving or transmitting method and user equipment related to dual subscriber numbers

Abstract

The present invention proposes a method for performing simultaneous reception or transmission operation related to two subscriber numbers with a single RF device. The UE determines whether a triggering condition for simultaneous Rx or Tx operation related to two separate subscriber numbers is met. In response to the triggering condition being met, a first value is reported to a mobile communication network by the single RF device, the first value representing an aggregated bandwidth or a number of component carriers or MIMO layers for one of the two separate subscriber numbers to enable simultaneous Rx or Tx operation related to the two separate subscriber numbers. In particular, the first value is smaller than a second value representing a maximum aggregated bandwidth or a maximum number of component carriers or MIMO layers supported by a capability of the UE.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 215,567, entitled "Enable dual-receive capability method," filed June 28, 2021, and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 557,267, filed December 21, 2021, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention generally relates to mobile communications, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for performing simultaneous reception or transmission operations associated with dual subscriber numbers using a single radio frequency (RF) device. Background Technology

[0004] In a typical mobile communication environment, a UE (also referred to as a mobile station (MS)), such as a mobile phone (also referred to as a handset) or a tablet personal computer (PC) having a wireless communication function, can communicate voice and / or data signals with one or more serving networks. The communication between the UE and the serving network can be performed using various cellular technologies, such as a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) technology, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology, an Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) technology, a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) technology, a Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000) technology, a Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) technology, a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technology, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) technology, a Time Division LTE (TD-LTE) technology, a New Radio (NR) technology, and / or the like. Specifically, the GSM / GPRS / EDGE technology is also referred to as a second generation (2G) cellular technology; the WCDMA / CDMA-2000 / TD-SCDMA technology is also referred to as a third generation (3G) cellular technology; the LTE / LTE-A / TD-LTE technology is also referred to as a fourth generation (4G) cellular technology; and the NR technology is also referred to as a fifth generation (5G) cellular technology.

[0005] Generally, a mobile phone supports only one RAT and always provides flexible mobile communication for a user with a single subscriber number through the supported RAT. However, to an increasing extent, more and more people find it a good way to have another subscriber number to reduce the cost of mobile services (including voice and / or data services) or to separate personal phone and business phone. To alleviate the burden of carrying two mobile phones for two separate subscriber numbers, a so-called dual subscriber identity module (SIM) phone has been developed, which uses a single subscriber number to support one or more RATs for respective mobile services. To reduce manufacturing cost, most dual SIM phones are equipped with a single radio frequency (RF) device.

[0006] In the conventional design of most dual SIM phones, only one subscriber number is allowed to occupy the single RF device for transmission / reception operation at any given time, because the single RF device is shared by transmission / reception operations associated with two separate subscriber numbers. For example, if a call request for SIM1 is received during an ongoing data service associated with SIM2, the data service associated with SIM2 will be stopped to give up access to the RF device so that the call associated with SIM1 can be made. That is, the drawback of sharing one RF can be overcome by new features supported in higher-level RATs. In one example, a technology called multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) is supported in 4G / 5G systems, which increases data throughput by using multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas (e.g., antennas of a single RF device). Generally speaking, MIMO can be referred to as the performance of transmitting multiple data streams (or called “layers”) using the same time and frequency resources, where each data stream can be beamformed, and these data streams can be shared by reception (Rx) or transmission (Tx) operations associated with two separate subscriber numbers.

[0007] However, according to the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specification conforming to 4G / 5G technology, the number of MIMO layers operated by the UE is configured by the network. Therefore, the dual SIM UE is configured with the maximum number of MIMO layers for one SIM, so that the other SIM cannot obtain antenna access for Rx / Tx operation.

[0008] Therefore, for a dual SIM UE with a single RF device, it is desirable to have a robust way to implement simultaneous Rx / Tx operations associated with two separate subscriber numbers. SUMMARY

[0009] The present invention proposes a robust method for dual-SIM UE with a single RF device to allow the UE to report to the network a reduced aggregated bandwidth or a reduced number of component carriers (CCs) or MIMO layers for one of the user numbers when a trigger condition is met, enabling simultaneous Rx / Tx operation associated with the two separate user numbers. In response to the report, the network can configure the UE to reduce the aggregated bandwidth or the number of CCs or MIMO layers for one of the user numbers, so that the performance of the UE with respect to the aggregated bandwidth, CCs or MIMO layers can be used for the other user number.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, a UE including a single RF device and a controller is provided. The configuration controller determines whether a trigger condition for simultaneous Rx or Tx operation associated with two separate user numbers is met, and in response to the trigger condition being met, reports a first value to a mobile communication network via the single RF device, the first value representing an aggregated bandwidth or a number of component carriers or MIMO layers for one of the two separate user numbers to enable simultaneous Rx or Tx operation associated with the two separate user numbers, wherein the first value is less than a second value representing a maximum aggregated bandwidth or a maximum number of component carriers or MIMO layers supported by a performance of the UE.

[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided. The method includes the steps of: a UE determining whether a trigger condition for simultaneous Rx or Tx operation associated with two separate user numbers is met, and in response to the trigger condition being met, reporting a first value to a mobile communication network via a single RF device, the first value representing an aggregated bandwidth or a number of component carriers or MIMO layers for one of the two separate user numbers to enable simultaneous Rx or Tx operation associated with the two separate user numbers, wherein the first value is less than a second value representing a maximum aggregated bandwidth or a maximum number of component carriers or MIMO layers supported by a performance of the UE.

[0012] In one example, the trigger condition includes: (1) the UE is operating in a connected communication mode using one of the two separate user numbers to communicate with the mobile communication network; and (2) a current configuration of RAT and band combinations for the two separate user numbers does not support simultaneous Rx or Tx operation associated with the two separate user numbers.

[0013] In one example, one of the two separate user numbers is configured to use data services.

[0014] In one example, the first value is reported in a UE assistance information message. The UE assistance information message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, and the first value is reported without interrupting any ongoing data session of the UE. After reporting the first value, the UE receives a Downlink Control Information (DCI) including an indication of reduced aggregated bandwidth or MIMO layer number, or receives a Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) including an indication of reduced number of CCs, and reduces the aggregated bandwidth or the number of CCs or MIMO layers of one of the two separate subscriber numbers according to the indication.

[0015] In one example, the first value is reported in an attach Request message, a TrackingArea Update Request message, or a Registration Request message. Before reporting the first value, the UE switches from a connected mode of communication with the mobile communication network to an idle mode of communication using one of the two separate subscriber numbers, and receives a configuration of reduced aggregated bandwidth or number of CCs or MIMO layers from the mobile communication network after reporting the first value. The UE reduces the aggregated bandwidth or the number of CCs or MIMO layers of one of the two separate subscriber numbers according to the received configuration.

[0016] In one example, after reporting the first value, the UE determines whether to operate in an idle mode of communication using one of the two separate subscriber numbers to communicate with the mobile communication network. In response to operating in the idle mode using one of the two separate subscriber numbers, the UE reports a third value representing the aggregated bandwidth or the number of CCs or MIMO layers that the UE operated before reporting the first value.

[0017] In one example, after reporting the first value, the UE monitors whether a current configuration of RAT and band combinations for the two separate subscriber numbers is supported by a network in a current location of the UE. In response to the current configuration of RAT and band combinations for the two separate subscriber numbers not being supported by the network in the current location of the UE, the UE reports a third value representing the aggregated bandwidth or the number of CCs or MIMO layers that the UE operated before reporting the first value.

[0018] The method of using a single RF device for simultaneous reception or transmission operation related to two subscriber numbers proposed by the present application can implement synchronous Rx / Tx operation associated with two separate subscriber numbers, thereby improving user experience.

[0019] Further aspects and features of the present application will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description of specific embodiments of UE and methods for simultaneous reception or transmission operations associated with dual subscriber numbers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] The present application can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication environment described in accordance with embodiments of the present application;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a UE 110 described in accordance with embodiments of the present application;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a message sequence chart for enabling simultaneous reception / transmission operations associated with two separate subscriber numbers described in accordance with embodiments of the present application;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a message sequence chart for enabling simultaneous reception / transmission operations associated with two separate subscriber numbers described in accordance with embodiments of the present application; and

[0025] FIG. 5A-5C is a flow chart of a method for simultaneously receiving or transmitting information associated with dual subscriber numbers using a single RF device described in accordance with embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present application and should not be taken in a limiting sense. It is to be understood that embodiments of the present application can be embodied by software, hardware, firmware, solid-state or any combination thereof. The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes", "including" and the like when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, components, elements, or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, elements, groups thereof or the like.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication environment 100 described in accordance with embodiments of the present application.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1 , the mobile communication environment 100 includes a UE 110 and two mobile communication networks 120 and 130.

[0029] The UE 110 can be a feature phone, a smartphone, a tablet PC, a notebook computer, a Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, or any mobile communication device supporting RATs used by the mobile communication networks 120 and 130.

[0030] The UE 110 can use two separate subscriber numbers to wirelessly communicate with one or both of the mobile communication networks 120 and 130. The subscriber numbers can be provided by one or two subscriber identity cards (not shown) according to the specifications of the RATs used by the mobile communication networks 120 and 130. For example, if one of the mobile communication networks 120 and 130 is a GSM / GPRS / EDGE / IS-95 network, the subscriber identity cards can include SIM cards, or if one of the mobile communication networks 120 and 130 is a WCDMA / LTE / LTE-A / TD-LTE / NR network, the subscriber identity cards can include Universal SIM (USIM) cards. Alternatively, the subscriber numbers can be written directly into the UE 110 without the need for any slot to insert any subscriber identity card, or the subscriber numbers can be provided by one or more virtual subscriber identity cards (e.g., Embedded-SIM (eSIM) / Embedded-USIM (eUSIM)), and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0031] More specifically, the UE 110 is equipped with a single RF device. That is, the single RF device is shared by Rx / Tx operations associated with the two separate subscriber numbers.

[0032] The mobile communication network 120 includes an access network 121 and a core network 122, and the mobile communication network 130 includes an access network 131 and a core network 132. The access networks 121 and 131 are responsible for handling radio signals, terminating radio protocols, and connecting the UE 110 with the core networks 122 and 132, respectively. The core networks 122 and 132 are responsible for performing mobility management, network-side authentication, and connecting with a public / external data network (e.g., the Internet).

[0033] Each of the access networks 121 and 131 and the core networks 122 and 132 includes one or more network nodes for performing the described functions. For example, if the mobile communication network 120 or 130 is a 4G network (e.g., an LTE / LTE-A / TD-LTE network), the access network 121 or 131 can be an Evolved-UTRAN (E-UTRAN) including at least one evolved Node B (eNB), including a macro eNB, a femto eNB, or a pico eNB. The core network 122 or 132 can be an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) including at least a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), a Mobility Management Entity (MME), a Serving Gateway (S-GW), a Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW or P-GW), and an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) server.

[0034] If the mobile communication networks 120 or 130 are 5G networks (e.g., NR networks), the access networks 121 or 131 can be Next Generation Radio Access Networks (NG-RANs) that include one or more Next Generation Node-Bs (gNBs), each of which further includes one or more Transmission Reception Points (TRPs). The core networks 122 or 132 can be Next Generation Core Networks (NG-CN) that consist of various network functions, including Access and Mobility Functions (AMFs), Session Management Functions (SMFs), User Plane Functions (UPFs), Policy Control Functions (PCFs), Application Functions (AFs), and Authentication Server Functions (AUSFs), each of which can be implemented as a network component on a dedicated hardware or as a software instance running on a dedicated hardware or as a virtualized function instantiated on an appropriate platform (e.g., a cloud infrastructure).

[0035] In one embodiment, the mobile communication network 130 (e.g., a 5G network) can be deployed in a non-standalone (NSA) architecture that relies on the control plane of the mobile communication network 120 (e.g., a 4G network) to implement control functions, with the mobile communication network 130 focusing only on the user plane. The NSA architecture can support features of EUTRA-NR Dual Connectivity (EN-DC), NR-EUTRA Dual Connectivity (NE-DC), or Next Generation EN-DC (NGEN-DC) that allow the UE 110 to have dual connectivity with the mobile communication networks 120 and 130 simultaneously.

[0036] Although not shown, the mobile communication networks 120 and 130 can support interworking with a particular communication interface. For example, there can be an interface connecting the NG-RAN of the NR network (e.g., the mobile communication network 130) to the EPC of the LTE network (e.g., the mobile communication network 120), or an interface connecting the E-UTRAN of the LTE network (e.g., the mobile communication network 120) to the NG-CN of the NR network (e.g., the mobile communication network 130), or an interface connecting the E-UTRAN of the LTE network (e.g., the mobile communication network 120) to the NG-RAN of the NR network (e.g., the mobile communication network 130).

[0037] According to one novel aspect, the UE 110 is capable of detecting whether a triggering condition for enabling simultaneous Rx / Tx operation associated with two separate user numbers is satisfied. Further, when the triggering condition is satisfied, the UE 110 can enable the simultaneous Rx / Tx operation associated with the two separate user numbers by reporting a reduced aggregated bandwidth or a reduced number of CCs or MIMO layers of the first user number (e.g., provided by a data SIM / USIM, i.e., a SIM / USIM configured for using data services) to the mobile communication network 120 / 130 to allow the mobile communication network 120 / 130 to reduce the aggregated bandwidth or the number of CCs or MIMO layers of the UE 110 operating for the first user number.

[0038] It should be appreciated that, FIG. 1 The described mobile communication environment 100 is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. For example, the present application is applicable to other RATs as long as the UE 110 supports dual connectivity over the RATs used by the mobile communication networks 120 and 130.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the UE 110 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0040] As FIG. 2 shown, the UE 110 includes a wireless transceiver 10, a controller 20, a storage 30, a display 40, and an input / output (I / O) device 50.

[0041] The wireless transceiver 10 is configured to wirelessly transmit and receive with the mobile communication networks 120 / 130. Specifically, the wireless transceiver 10 includes a baseband processing device 11, an RF device 12, and an antenna 13, where the antenna 13 includes an antenna array for beamforming.

[0042] The baseband processing device 11 is configured to perform baseband signal processing and control communication between a user identification card (not shown) and the RF device 12. The baseband processing device 11 includes a plurality of hardware components that perform baseband signal processing, including Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC) / Digital-to-Analog Conversion (DAC), gain adjustment, modulation / demodulation, encoding / decoding, and the like.

[0043] The RF device 12 receives RF wireless signals via the antenna 13, converts the received RF wireless signals into baseband signals, processes the baseband signals by the baseband processing device 11, or receives baseband signals from the baseband processing device 11, and converts the received baseband signals into RF wireless signals, and then transmits via the antenna 13. The RF device 12 also includes a plurality of hardware devices that perform radio frequency conversion. For example, the RF device 12 includes a mixer for multiplying a baseband signal with a carrier wave oscillating in a radio frequency supporting a cellular technology, where the radio frequency can be 900 megahertz (MHz), 2100 MHz, or 2.6 gigahertz (GHz) used in a 4G (e.g., LTE / LTE-A / TD-LTE) system, or any radio frequency (e.g., 30 GHz ~ 300 GHz for mmWave, or 3.3 GHz - 4.9 GHz for sub-6) used in a 5G (e.g., NR) system, or other radio frequencies, depending on the RAT used.

[0044] The controller 20 can be a general-purpose processor, a Micro Control Unit (MCU), an application processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Holographic Processing Unit (HPU), a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), or the like, which includes various circuits providing a variety of functions, such as data processing and computation, controlling the wireless transceiver 10 to wirelessly communicate with the service networks 120 and 130, storing and exporting data (e.g., program codes) through the storage device 30, transmitting a series of frame data (e.g., representing text messages, graphics, images, and the like) to the display device 40, and receiving user input signals or output signals via the I / O device 50.

[0045] In particular, the controller 20 coordinates the above-described operations of the wireless transceiver 10, the storage device 30, the display device 40, and the I / O device 50 to perform the method proposed by the present application.

[0046] In another implementation, the controller 20 can be incorporated into the baseband processing device 11 to function as a baseband processor.

[0047] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the circuitry of the controller 20 generally includes transistors that control the operation of the circuitry in accordance with the functions and operations described herein. As will be further appreciated, the particular structure or interconnection of the transistors will generally be determined by a compiler, e.g., a Register Transfer Language (RTL) compiler. The RTL compiler can operate on a script similar to assembly language code to compile the script into a form that is used by the fabrication facility to actually manufacture the circuitry. Indeed, RTL is well known in the art for its role and use in facilitating the design process of electronic and digital systems.

[0048] The storage device 30 is a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium including one or more Universal Integrated Circuit Cards (UICCs) (e.g., SIM / USIMs), memories (e.g., FLASH memories or Non-Volatile Random Access Memories (NVRAM)), or magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, magnetic tapes, or optical disks), or any combination thereof, for storing data, instructions, and / or program codes of applications, communication protocols, and / or the methods presented by the present disclosure. In one example, the methods of the present disclosure can be implemented as part of a communication protocol, e.g., a 4G LTE or 5G NR protocol stack, including a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) layer, a RRC layer for high layer configuration and control, a Packet Data Convergence Protocol / Radio Link Control (PDCP / RLC) layer, a Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and a Physical (PHY) layer. In one example, the instructions or program codes implementing the protocol stack can be stored in a memory within the baseband processing device 11.

[0049] The display device 40 can be a Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD), a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Organic LED (OLED) display, an Electronic Paper Display (EPD), or the like, for providing a display function. Alternatively, the display device 40 further includes one or more touch sensors disposed thereon or thereunder for sensing a touch, a contact, or an approach of an object such as a finger or a stylus.

[0050] The I / O device 50 includes one or more buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchpad, a video camera, a microphone, and / or a speaker, or the like, as a Man-Machine Interface (MMI) for interacting with a user.

[0051] It should be understood that, FIG. 2 The components described in the embodiments of the UE 110 are merely used for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application. For example, the UE 110 can include more components, such as a power supply and / or a Global Positioning System (GPS) device, where the power supply can be a mobile / replaceable battery that provides power to all other components of the UE 110, and the GPS device can provide location information to the UE 110 for certain location-based services or applications. Alternatively, the UE 110 can include fewer components. For example, the UE 110 can not include the display device 40 and / or the I / O device 50.

[0052] FIG. 3 The message sequence chart for enabling simultaneous reception / transmission operation associated with two separate subscriber numbers is described according to the embodiments of the present application.

[0053] In step S310, the UE detects that a trigger condition for enabling simultaneous Rx / Tx operation associated with two separate subscriber numbers is met.

[0054] In one example, the trigger condition includes: (1) the UE 110 is operating in a connected communication mode (e.g., RRC_CONNECTED mode) with an eNB / gNB using a first subscriber number (e.g., provided by a SIM / USIM configured to use a data service, or referred to as a data SIM / USIM); and (2) the current configuration of the RAT and band combination for the two separate subscriber numbers does not support simultaneous Rx or Tx operation associated with the two separate subscriber numbers.

[0055] In step S320, the UE sends a UE assistance information message including a first value, the first value representing an aggregated bandwidth or a number of CCs or MIMO layers of the first user number to the eNB / gNB. Specifically, the first value is less than a second value representing a maximum aggregated bandwidth or a maximum number of CCs or MIMO layers supported by the performance of the UE. Optionally, the first value is less than a third value representing an aggregated bandwidth or a number of CCs or MIMO layers of which the UE currently operates with the first user number. That is, the first value represents a reduced aggregated bandwidth or a reduced number of CCs or MIMO layers.

[0056] In step S330, in response to receiving the first value in the UE assistance information message, the eNB / gNB determines to reduce the aggregated bandwidth or the number of CCs or MIMO layers with which the UE operates with the first user number.

[0057] In step S340, the eNB / gNB sends a DCI to the UE indicating to reduce the aggregated bandwidth or the number of MIMO layers (denoted as ALT-1 in FIG. 3 , or sends a MAC CE indicating to reduce the number of CCs (denoted as ALT-2 in FIG. 3 ).

[0058] In one embodiment, the DCI can be a UE-specific DCI with DCI format 0_0 / 0_1 / 1_0 / 1_1 in 5G network. In another embodiment, the DCI can be a UE-specific DCI with DCI format 1 / 1A / 1B / 1C / 1D / 2 / 2A in 4G network. For example, the DCI can be DCI format 1_1 including a field called “number of antenna ports and layers” for configuring MIMO functionality, thus, if the field is set to value 0 / 1 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 for Single-Input-Single-Output (SISO), the indication can be understood as an indication to reduce the number of MIMO layers to 1, or if the field is set to value 2 / 7 / 8 / 11, it can be understood as an indication to reduce the number of MIMO layers to 2, or if the field is set to value 9, it can be understood as an indication to reduce the number of MIMO layers to 3. For example, the DCI can be DCI format 0_1 / 1_1 including a field called “bandwidth part indicator” for configuring aggregated bandwidth, thus, the indication can be understood as an indication to reduce the aggregated bandwidth.

[0059] In step S350, the UE reduces the aggregated bandwidth or the number of CCs or MIMO layers of the first user number according to the received indication to enable simultaneous Rx / Tx operation associated with two separate user numbers.

[0060] FIG. 4is a message sequence chart describing enabling simultaneous receive / transmit operation associated with two separate subscriber numbers according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0061] In step S410, the UE detects that a triggering condition for enabling simultaneous Rx / Tx operation associated with two separate subscriber numbers is satisfied.

[0062] The triggering condition is associated with FIG. 3 The same as described in step S310 in the embodiment. That is, the UE is using the first subscriber number to operate in a connected communication mode (e.g., RRC_CONNECTED mode) with an eNB / gNB of a 4G / 5G network; and the current configuration of the RAT and band combination for the two separate subscriber numbers does not support simultaneous Rx or Tx operation associated with the two separate subscriber numbers.

[0063] In step S420, the UE switches from the connected mode to an idle mode (e.g., RRC_IDLE mode) using the first subscriber number in communication with the 4G / 5G network.

[0064] In step S430, the UE sends an attach request message, a tracking area update request message or a registration request message including a first value representing the number of aggregated bandwidths or CCs or MIMO layers of the first subscriber number to the 4G / 5G network (e.g., an eNB / gNB MME / AMF of the 4G / 5G network). Specifically, the first value is less than a second value representing the maximum number of aggregated bandwidths or CCs or MIMO layers supported by the performance of the UE.

[0065] In step S440, in response to receiving the first value in the attach request message, the tracking area update request message or the registration request message, the 4G / 5G network determines to reduce the number of aggregated bandwidths or CCs or MIMO layers of the UE operating using the first subscriber number.

[0066] In step S450, the 4G / 5G network responds to the UE with an attach accept message, a tracking area update accept message or a registration accept message.

[0067] In step S460, the UE sends an attach complete message, a tracking area update complete message or a registration complete message to the 4G / 5G network to confirm receiving the attach accept message, the tracking area update accept message or the registration accept message.

[0068] In step S470, the 4G / 5G network sends an RRC connection reconfiguration message to the UE to configure the reduced number of aggregated bandwidths or CCs or MIMO layers.

[0069] In step S480, the UE reduces the aggregated bandwidth or the number of CCs / MIMO layers according to the received configuration to enable simultaneous Rx / Tx operation associated with the two separate user numbers.

[0070] In step S490, the UE sends an RRC connection reconfiguration complete message to the 4G / 5G network.

[0071] It should be understood that in FIG. 3 embodiments, the signaling procedure for reporting the reduced bandwidth or the reduced number of CCs or MIMO layers only involves RRC layer signaling (i.e., the UE assistance information message is an RRC message), and thus, the reporting can be performed without interrupting any ongoing data sessions of the UE. In contrast, in FIG. 4 embodiments, the signaling procedure for reporting the reduced bandwidth or the reduced number of CCs or MIMO layers can involve NAS layer signaling, which is less cost-effective compared to RRC layer signaling, and the UE is forced to enter idle mode before reporting, which will inevitably cause interruption to ongoing data sessions of the UE.

[0072] FIG. 5A-5C is a flowchart of a method for simultaneously receiving or transmitting information associated with dual user numbers using a single RF device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0073] The method can be applied to and performed by a UE (e.g., the UE 110) that is communicatively connected to a mobile communication network (e.g., the mobile communication network 120 / 130).

[0074] In step S501, the UE determines whether the status of a data SIM user number (i.e., a user number provided by a SIM / USIM configured to use data services) is in a connected mode or an idle mode. In one example, the two separate user numbers can consist of a data SIM user number and a non-data SIM user number. In another example, the two separate user numbers can consist of two data SIM user numbers (e.g., designated for different applications), one of which is a relevant data SIM user number.

[0075] After step S501, if the status of the data SIM user number is in the connected mode, the method proceeds to step S502.

[0076] In step S502, the UE determines whether the current configuration of the RAT and band combination for the two separate user numbers supports simultaneous Rx / Tx operation associated with the two separate user numbers (denoted as “dual Rx / Tx” in FIG. 5A for brevity).

[0077] After step S502, if the current configuration of the RAT and band combination for the two separate user numbers does not support simultaneous Rx / Tx operation associated with the two separate user numbers, the method proceeds to step S503.

[0078] In step S503, the UE determines whether both the UE and the mobile communication network support a UE assistance information message (denoted as “UAI” in FIG. 5A for brevity).

[0079] After step S503, if both the UE and the mobile communication network support the UE assistance information message, the method proceeds to step S504. Otherwise, if both the UE and the mobile communication network do not support the UE assistance information message, the method proceeds to step S507.

[0080] In step S504, the UE sends to the mobile communication network a UE assistance information message including a first value representing an aggregated bandwidth or a number of CCs or MIMO layers for the data SIM user number. Specifically, the first value is less than a second value representing a maximum aggregated bandwidth or a maximum number of CCs or MIMO layers supported by the performance of the UE. Optionally, the first value is less than a third value representing an aggregated bandwidth or a number of CCs or MIMO layers for which the UE currently operates with the data SIM user number. That is, the first value represents a reduced aggregated bandwidth or a reduced number of CCs or MIMO layers.

[0081] In step S505, the UE is configured (e.g., via DCI or MAC CE) with an aggregated bandwidth or a number of CCs or MIMO layers for the data SIM user number.

[0082] In step S506, the UE determines whether the configured bandwidth or number of CCs / MIMO layers can support simultaneous Rx / Tx operation associated with the two separate user numbers (denoted as “Dual Rx / Tx” in FIG. 5A for brevity).

[0083] After step S506, if the configured bandwidth or number of CCs or MIMO layers can support simultaneous Rx / Tx operation associated with the two separate user numbers, the method proceeds to step S509. Otherwise, if the configured bandwidth or number of CCs or MIMO layers cannot support simultaneous Rx / Tx operation associated with the two separate user numbers, the method proceeds to step S507.

[0084] In step S507, the UE sends to the mobile communication network an additional request message, a tracking area update request message, or a registration request message including the first value.

[0085] In step S508, the UE is configured (e.g., via a RRC reconfiguration message) with the number of aggregated bandwidth or CCs or MIMO layers for the data SIM user number and updates the number of aggregated bandwidth or CCs or MIMO layers for the data SIM user number accordingly.

[0086] Returning to step S502, if the current configuration of the RAT and band combination for the two separate user numbers supports simultaneous Rx / Tx operation associated with the two separate user numbers, the method proceeds to step S509.

[0087] In step S509, the UE monitors the RAT configuration and band combination supported by the network in the current location of the UE. The reason is that the configuration of the RAT and band combination supported by the network in the current location of the UE can change as the UE moves.

[0088] In step S510, the UE determines whether the network in the current location of the UE does not support the current configuration of the RAT and band combination for the two separate user numbers.

[0089] After step S510, if the network in the current location of the UE does not support the current configuration of the RAT and band combination for the two separate user numbers, the method proceeds to step S511. Otherwise, if the network in the current location of the UE supports the current configuration of the RAT and band combination for the two separate user numbers, the method ends.

[0090] In step S511, the UE determines whether a value representing the number of aggregated bandwidth or CCs or MIMO layers for the data SIM user number has been previously reported to the mobile communication network (by a UE assistance information message or an additional request / tracking area update request / registration request message).

[0091] After step S511, if the UE has previously reported a value representing a reduced bandwidth or a reduced number of CCs or MIMO layers for the data SIM user number to the mobile communication network, the method proceeds to step S512. Otherwise, if the UE has not previously reported a value representing a reduced bandwidth or a reduced number of CCs or MIMO layers for the data SIM user number to the mobile communication network, the method ends.

[0092] In step S512, the UE restores the number of aggregated bandwidth and CCs or MIMO layers to the non-reduced value by reporting the value in use (by a UE assistance information message or an additional request / tracking area update request / registration request message) before reporting to the mobile communication network.

[0093] Returning to step S501, if the status of the data SIM user number is in idle mode, the method proceeds to step S513.

[0094] In step S513, the UE determines whether a value representative of a reduced bandwidth or a reduced number of CCs or MIMO layers for the data SIM user number has been previously reported to the mobile communication network (e.g. through an Attach Request / Tracking Area Update Request / Registration Request message).

[0095] After step S513, if the UE has previously reported to the mobile communication network a value representative of a reduced bandwidth or a reduced number of CCs or MIMO layers for the data SIM user number, the method proceeds to step S514. Otherwise, if the UE has not previously reported to the mobile communication network a value representative of a reduced bandwidth or a reduced number of CCs or MIMO layers for the data SIM user number, the method ends.

[0096] In step S514, the UE restores the aggregated bandwidth and the number of CCs or MIMO layers to the non-reduced values by reporting the values in use prior to reporting to the mobile communication network (through a UE Assistance Information message or an Attach Request / Tracking Area Update Request / Registration Request message).

[0097] Although the present application has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the application is not limited thereto. Various alterations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the preceding description. Therefore, it is to be understood that the scope of the application is to be limited only by the scope of the claims and equivalents thereof.

[0098] The ordinal terms such as first, second, etc. as used in the specification and claims of this patent application are used for distinguishing between other elements with a similar or same name and are not necessarily used to describe a sequence or order of execution. The ordinal terms are used for distinguishing between two elements having a similar, or same, name. For example, a first element can be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element can be termed a first element, which is intended to convey the element that is called first differs from the element called second in one or more respect. However, it is also contemplated that an element identified as a first element can be identified as a second element and, similarly, an element identified as second element can be identified as a first element, without changing the meaning of the description.

Claims

1. A user equipment for simultaneous reception or transmission with dual subscriber numbers, comprising: a single radio frequency device; and a controller configured to determine whether a trigger condition for simultaneous reception or transmission operation related to two separate subscriber numbers is satisfied, in response to the trigger condition being satisfied, report a first value to a mobile communication network via the single radio frequency device, the first value representing an aggregated bandwidth or a number of component carriers or a number of multiple input multiple output layers for one of the two separate subscriber numbers to enable the simultaneous reception or transmission operation related to the two separate subscriber numbers, wherein the first value is less than a second value representing a maximum aggregated bandwidth or a maximum number of component carriers or multiple input multiple output layers supported by a capability of the user equipment, after reporting the first value, receive a downlink control information including an indication to reduce the aggregated bandwidth or the number of multiple input multiple output layers or a medium access control control element including an indication to reduce the number of component carriers; and reduce the aggregated bandwidth or the number of component carriers or the number of multiple input multiple output layers for the one of the two separate subscriber numbers according to the indication. the trigger condition comprises:

2. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein, the user equipment is operating in a connected communication mode using the one of the two separate subscriber numbers to communicate with the mobile communication network; and a current configuration of a radio access technology and a frequency band combination for the two separate subscriber numbers does not support the simultaneous reception or transmission operation associated with the two separate subscriber numbers. the one of the two separate subscriber numbers is configured to use a data service.

3. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein, the first value is reported in a user equipment assistance information message.

4. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein, the user equipment assistance information message is a radio resource control message and the first value is reported without interrupting any ongoing data session of the user equipment.

5. The user equipment of claim 4, wherein, the first value is reported in an additional request message, a tracking area update request message, or a registration request message.

6. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein, the controller is further configured to switch from a connected mode with the mobile communication network to an idle mode using the one of the two separate subscriber numbers before reporting the first value.

7. The user equipment of claim 6, wherein, after reporting the first value, the controller is further configured to determine whether the user equipment is using the one of the two separate subscriber numbers to operate in an idle communication mode with the mobile communication network, in response to the user equipment using the one of the two separate subscriber numbers to operate in the idle communication mode, report a third value representing an aggregated bandwidth or a number of component carriers or a number of multiple input multiple output layers that the user equipment was operating before reporting the first value.

8. The user equipment of claim 6, wherein, ​ 9. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein, after reporting the first value, further configuring the controller to monitor whether a network at a current location of the user equipment supports a current configuration of radio access technology and frequency band combinations for two separate user numbers and, in response to the network at the current location of the user equipment not supporting the current configuration of radio access technology and frequency band combinations for two separate user numbers, the user equipment reporting a third value representing an aggregated bandwidth or a number of component carriers or a number of multiple-input multiple-output layers that the user equipment operated prior to reporting the first value.

10. A method of simultaneous reception or transmission with dual user numbers, comprising: determining, by a user equipment, whether a triggering condition for simultaneous reception or transmission operation related to two separate user numbers is satisfied; determining whether a triggering condition for simultaneous reception or transmission operation related to two separate user numbers is satisfied, in response to the triggering condition being satisfied, reporting, by a single radio frequency device, a first value to a mobile communication network, the first value representing an aggregated bandwidth or a number of component carriers or a number of multiple-input multiple-output layers for one of the two separate user numbers to enable the simultaneous reception or transmission operation related to the two separate user numbers, wherein the first value is less than a second value representing a maximum aggregated bandwidth or a maximum number of component carriers or multiple-input multiple-output layers supported by a capability of the user equipment; after reporting the first value, receiving a downlink control information including an indication to reduce the aggregated bandwidth or the number of multiple-input multiple-output layers or a medium access control control element including an indication to reduce the number of component carriers; and reducing the aggregated bandwidth or the number of component carriers or the number of multiple-input multiple-output layers for the one of the two separate user numbers according to the indication.

11. The method for simultaneous reception or transmission with dual subscriber numbers as claimed in claim 10, wherein, the triggering condition comprises: the user equipment is operating in a connected communication mode using the one of the two separate user numbers to communicate with the mobile communication network; and a current configuration of radio access technology and frequency band combinations for the two separate user numbers does not support the simultaneous reception or transmission operation associated with the two separate user numbers.

12. The method for simultaneous reception or transmission with dual subscriber numbers as claimed in claim 10 wherein, the one of the two separate user numbers is configured to use a data service.

13. The method for simultaneous reception or transmission with dual subscriber numbers as claimed in claim 10 wherein, the first value is reported in a user equipment assistance information message.

14. The method for simultaneous reception or transmission with dual subscriber numbers as claimed in claim 13, wherein, the user equipment assistance information message is a radio resource control message and the first value is reported without interrupting any ongoing data session of the user equipment.

15. The method for simultaneous reception or transmission with dual subscriber numbers as claimed in claim 10 wherein, the first value is reported in an additional request message, a tracking area update request message, or a registration request message.

16. The method of simultaneous reception or transmission with dual user numbers of claim 15, further comprising: prior to reporting the first value, configuring the user equipment to switch from a connected mode to an idle mode with the mobile communication network using the one of the two separate user numbers.

17. The method of simultaneous reception or transmission with dual user numbers of claim 15, further comprising: after reporting the first value, determining whether the user equipment is operating in an idle mode of communication with the mobile communication network using one of the two separate subscriber numbers; and in response to the user equipment operating in the idle mode of communication with the mobile communication network using one of the two separate subscriber numbers, reporting a third value representing a number of aggregated bandwidths or component carriers or a number of multiple input multiple output layers in which the user equipment was operating prior to reporting the first value.

18. The method of simultaneous reception or transmission with dual subscriber numbers of claim 10, further comprising: after reporting the first value, monitoring whether a network at a current location of the user equipment supports a current configuration of radio access technologies and frequency band combinations for the two separate subscriber numbers; and in response to the network at the current location of the user equipment not supporting the current configuration of radio access technologies and frequency band combinations for the two separate subscriber numbers, the user equipment reporting a third value representing a number of aggregated bandwidths or component carriers or a number of multiple input multiple output layers in which the user equipment was operating prior to reporting the first value.

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