Burst-Level Tune-Away for Multi-Subscription Wireless Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing multiple subscriptions on a single transceiver, leading to degraded performance in paging reception and voice/user data throughput due to limitations in existing multi-SIM tuning methods.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of burst-level tune-away procedures allows a wireless communication device with a single transceiver to concurrently perform operations on multiple subscriptions by temporarily switching between active and idle subscriptions, using burst-level tuning to minimize disruption to ongoing data transfers and improve scheduling efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single transceiver is used to support multiple subscriptions, then device complexity is reduced, but paging reception performance and data throughput are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransceiver quantityVSAvoiddata throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic time-slot based tuning between active and idle subscriptions. The transceiver dynamically switches between subscriptions based on scheduled time slots, allowing burst-level tune-away procedures that temporarily pause data transfer on the active subscription to handle paging or control channel operations on the idle subscription. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by enabling multi-subscription support with a single transceiver while minimizing impact on data throughput through careful scheduling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic tuning cycles between subscriptions, where the transceiver alternates between active and idle subscriptions at scheduled intervals. During designated time slots, the transceiver periodically switches to the idle subscription to receive paging information or control channels, then returns to the active subscription for data transfer. This periodic action allows the system to maintain multiple subscriptions while ensuring that data throughput on the active subscription is not continuously degraded.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the transceiver tunes away to the idle subscription for paging reception, then paging reception performance is improved, but data transfer on the active subscription is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging receptionVSAvoiddata loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent schedules tune-away procedures in advance based on predetermined time slots and paging opportunities. Before the transceiver tunes away to the idle subscription for paging reception, the system has already scheduled these transitions, allowing the active subscription to pause data transfer proactively rather than reactively. This preliminary scheduling minimizes data loss by ensuring that tune-away operations occur at optimal moments when data transfer can be temporarily suspended with minimal impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements burst-level tune-away procedures that rapidly switch between subscriptions for short durations. Instead of prolonged tuning away from the active subscription, the transceiver performs quick burst-style switches to the idle subscription just long enough to receive paging information or control channels, then immediately returns to the active subscription. This rushing through the tune-away process minimizes the time data transfer is disrupted, reducing data loss while ensuring paging reception reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Productivity

If concurrent procedures are implemented on multiple subscriptions, then communication efficiency is improved, but scheduling complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidscheduling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the operation of the single transceiver into distinct time slots dedicated to different subscriptions. Instead of attempting to handle multiple subscriptions simultaneously, the system divides time into discrete segments where the transceiver is assigned to specific subscriptions based on scheduled procedures. This segmentation of time resources allows concurrent procedures on multiple subscriptions to be managed systematically, reducing scheduling complexity while maintaining communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the single transceiver universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions across different subscriptions through dynamic reconfiguration. The same physical transceiver is reused for both active and idle subscriptions at different times, eliminating the need for separate transceivers for each subscription. This multi-functionality approach improves communication efficiency by supporting multiple subscriptions while avoiding the complexity of managing multiple simultaneous transceivers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2915404B1Optimized scheduling subscription procedures on a wireless communication device
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2915404B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2915404B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2915404B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Devices, systems, articles of manufacture, and methods scheduling subscription procedures on a wireless communication device are described. According to some embodiments, the wireless communication device communicates with a first subscription. The wireless communication device can perform a concurrent burst-level tune-away procedure with a second subscription. The wireless communication device also returns to communication with the first subscription. The tune-away procedure enables a communication device to interact with multiple subscriptions (e.g., multiple SEVl-based subscriptions). Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.