Integrated SIM Zone in Communication Chip for PCB Space Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing separate SIM card hardware in terminal equipment occupies PCB space, is prone to contact failures, and metal chip breakage, compromising reliability and security.
Innovation Solution
A communication chip integrated with a SIM card, featuring a baseband CPU, selector switch, and SIMZone unit, which provides SIM card functionality and data reception, reducing the need for a separate SIM card and enhancing security by integrating SIMZone unit components like RAM, MCU, and personalization data storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate SIM card is used in terminal equipment, then SIM card functionality can be achieved, but PCB space is occupied and contact reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the SIM card functionality directly into the communication chip by combining the baseband CPU and SIMZone unit into a single integrated circuit. This merging eliminates the need for a separate physical SIM card slot and contact interface, thereby improving contact reliability while reducing PCB space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication chip is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a baseband processor and as a SIM card controller. The integrated SIMZone unit provides SIM card functionality within the same chip that handles communication protocols, reducing the number of separate components needed and improving overall system reliability.
2Reliability
If a separate SIM card is used in terminal equipment, then SIM card functionality can be achieved, but hardware failures such as metal chip breakage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the SIM card functionality into the communication chip, eliminating the separate metal contact interface and SIM card slot. This integration removes vulnerable mechanical components that are prone to breakage, thereby improving hardware reliability while simplifying the overall hardware structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical SIM card insertion/removal system with an integrated electronic solution. The SIMZone unit communicates with the baseband CPU through electronic interfaces within the same chip, eliminating mechanical contacts and moving parts that are susceptible to physical damage and wear.
3Area of stationary object
If SIM card functionality is integrated into the communication chip, then PCB space is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated communication chip is segmented into distinct functional units: the baseband CPU for communication processing and the SIMZone unit for SIM card functionality. This segmentation allows for modular design within the integrated circuit, making the complex chip structure more manageable and easier to manufacture despite the increased integration.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present publication discloses a communication chip integrated with a SIM card, comprising: a baseband CPU, a first protocol interface, a selector switch, and a SIMZone unit; said baseband CPU being connected to the first protocol interface; said selector switch being connected to the SIMZone unit, the first protocol interface, and an IF1 interface. The selector switch and said SIMZone unit are always in a state of communication with each other, and when said selector switch is in a state of communication with said first protocol interface, said SIMZone unit is used for providing SIM card functionality to said baseband CPU; when said selector switch is in a state of communication with said IF1 interface, said SIMZone unit is used for receiving data written by means of said IF1 interface. In the embodiments of the present publication, by means of integrating a SIM card in the communication chip of a terminal equipment, the area occupied by the SIM card on the PCB of the terminal equipment is reduced, the SIM card is prevented from serving as an independent hardware entity, the swapping process is avoided, and reliability and security are increased, security being not lower than that of a conventional SIM card.