AMF Controller SIM Association for Multi-SIM Paging Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, multi-SIM user equipment (UE) experiences wastage of paging resources due to the core network and Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) being unaware that multiple SIMs belong to the same device, leading to unnecessary paging across all possible cells.

Innovation Solution

The method involves registering both SIMs of a multi-SIM UE with the same Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) controller by providing a globally unique temporary identifier (GUTI) for the first SIM in the registration request of the second SIM. This allows the AMF controller to identify that both SIMs belong to the same multi-SIM UE and send NAS messages indicating downlink data or signaling for the second SIM over the N1 NAS connection of the first SIM, optimizing paging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the core network pages the multi-SIM UE in all possible cells for the second SIM, then the paging is guaranteed to reach the UE, but paging resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaging delivery reliabilityVSAvoidpaging resource wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the paging management of multiple SIMs by having the AMF store the association between SIMs and use the N1 connection of one SIM to notify the UE about downlink data for another SIM. This combines the paging resources and eliminates redundant paging transmissions across all cells, resolving the contradiction between reliable paging delivery and paging resource efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The N1 NAS connection acts as an intermediary channel between the AMF and the UE for notifying about downlink data. Instead of directly paging the UE in all cells, the AMF uses the existing N1 connection (established through the first SIM's registration) to send notifications, thereby reducing paging resource consumption while maintaining reliable delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the AMF stores association information between multiple SIMs, then paging resources are optimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaging resource efficiencyVSAvoidAMF storage and processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The AMF is designed to handle multiple SIMs from the same UE through a universal association mechanism using GUTI. The same N1 connection infrastructure is used for both normal signaling and for notifying about downlink data on other SIMs, reducing the need for separate complex paging management systems while optimizing paging resource usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12267801B2Method and apparatus for indicating MT-service for multi-SIM UE

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method and apparatus of an AMF controller in a wireless communication system are provided. The method and apparatus include: registering a first SIM based on a first registration request message and registering a second SIM based on a second registration request message which has a GUTI for the first SIM. Further, the method and apparatus include: receiving at least one of downlink data and signaling information for the second SIM when a N1 NAS is in CM-Connected state for the first SIM, and transmitting a NAS message indicating at least one of the downlink data and the signaling information for the second SIM over the N1 NAS connection of the first SIM.