eUICC Multi-Profile Interface Using APDU Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies struggle to support multiple active profiles on eUICCs due to limitations in the ISO7816-3 T=0 interface, leading to incompatibilities and data integrity issues, preventing dual or multiple SIM features in devices with a single physical interface.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an interface driver and operating system that encapsulate command APDUs using ISO7816-4 Envelope commands with logical interface identifiers, allowing multiple SIM profiles to be managed independently over a single physical interface, ensuring compatibility with ISO7816-3 T=0 and enabling T=0 protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple SIM profiles are stored on an eUICC, then the capability to support multiple profiles is improved, but the ability to simultaneously access multiple profiles over a single physical interface deteriorates due to ISO7816-3 T=0 interface limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single physical interface into multiple virtual logical interfaces by introducing interface identifiers (interface IDs) that multiplex communication channels. Each SIM profile is associated with a unique interface ID, allowing the system to distinguish and access multiple profiles simultaneously over the same physical connection, effectively creating multiple communication paths within a single interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the interface driver and operating system in the IC card domain) that sits between the communication domain and the SIM profiles. This intermediary manages the mapping between interface IDs and specific SIM profiles, handling the complexity of multiplexing multiple profiles over a single physical interface while presenting a simplified interface to upper layers.
2Device complexity
If a single physical interface is used for communication, then device simplicity is improved, but data integrity and compatibility issues worsen when managing multiple profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The interface driver acts as an intermediary that ensures data integrity by properly encapsulating and decapsulating APDUs, managing the interface ID to profile mapping, and handling protocol conversions. This intermediary layer prevents data corruption and compatibility issues that would otherwise occur when multiple profiles share a single physical interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter space by introducing interface IDs as an additional dimension for identifying communication targets. Instead of relying solely on traditional profile selection methods, the system uses interface IDs to distinguish between multiple profiles, adding a new parameter that resolves ambiguity and ensures correct data routing without compromising data integrity.
3Reliability
If ISO7816-3 T=0 protocol is used for communication, then protocol compatibility is improved, but the ability to support multiple active profiles simultaneously deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protocol handling by introducing virtual interface identifiers that work in conjunction with the ISO7816-3 T=0 protocol. Each interface ID represents a separate logical communication channel, allowing the system to maintain compatibility with the standard protocol while simultaneously supporting multiple active profiles through the added layer of interface identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the single physical interface universal by enabling it to handle multiple SIM profiles simultaneously through interface ID multiplexing. The interface driver and operating system provide multi-functionality by managing the mapping between interface IDs and profiles, allowing the same physical interface to serve multiple purposes and support multiple active profiles without requiring separate physical connections for each profile.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to supporting multiple logical interfaces over a single physical interface, in particular relating to supporting multiple profiles on eSIMs/eUICCs. Example embodiments include an electronic device (400) comprising: an integrated circuit, IC, card domain (401) configured to store a plurality of SIM profiles (4021-n); and a communication domain (403) coupled to the IC card domain (401) via a physical interface (404), wherein the communication domain (403) comprises a communication domain interface (405) configured to receive an application command packet, identify one of the plurality of SIM profiles (4021-n), encapsulate the application command packet with an interface identifier associated with the one of the plurality of SIM profiles (4021-n) in a transport packet and send the transport packet to the IC card domain (401) over the physical interface (404), and wherein the IC card domain (401) comprises an operating system (406) configured to receive the transport packet, extract the application command packet, send the application command packet to the identified one of the plurality of SIM profiles (4021-n), receive a response from the identified SIM profile and send the response to the communication domain (403) over the physical interface (404).