Logical Interface Multiplexing for Single eUICC Dual SIM
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing multiple enabled profiles (MEP) in a single eUICC, limiting the ability to support dual SIM or multi-SIM functions without additional hardware and physical interfaces.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of logical interfaces allows for the division and multiplexing of physical interfaces between a terminal and a card, enabling the terminal to identify and process proactive commands from different logical interfaces, thereby supporting the simultaneous activation of multiple profiles in a single eUICC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple physical interfaces are used to support dual SIM functions, then the ability to activate multiple profiles simultaneously is improved, but the device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single physical interface into multiple logical interfaces (first logical interface, second logical interface, etc.), allowing multiple profiles to be activated simultaneously through one physical connection. This segmentation enables dual SIM functionality without requiring multiple physical interfaces, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single physical interface is designed to handle multiple functions by supporting multiple logical interfaces. This multi-functionality allows the same physical connection to manage multiple profiles and their respective proactive commands, eliminating the need for additional hardware while achieving dual SIM capability.
2Reliability
If proactive commands from different logical interfaces are processed through separate interfaces, then command handling accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a message routing mechanism that acts as an intermediary to direct proactive commands from different logical interfaces to the appropriate processing channels. The terminal device receives messages indicating pending proactive commands on specific target ports and routes them accordingly, ensuring accurate command handling while managing multiple logical interfaces through a unified approach.
3Reliability
If additional hardware is added to support multiple profiles, then the reliability of multi-SIM operation is improved, but the manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple logical interfaces onto a single physical interface, allowing multiple profiles to operate simultaneously without requiring additional hardware components. This consolidation maintains the reliability of multi-SIM operations while simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs by eliminating the need for multiple physical connections.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. A method and an apparatus for providing a dual subscriber identity module (SIM) function even in a terminal with a single embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC) mounted are provided. A method and an apparatus for installing, activating, and managing a plurality of profiles are provided, so that even a terminal with a single eUICC mounted may provide a dual SIM function in a communication system. The method includes the following embodiments to achieve the foregoing aspect, a method in which an eUICC receives a command involving a profile state change from a local profile assistant (LPA), registers a proactive command, and notifies a modem of logical interface information for obtaining the proactive command, a method in which the eUICC determines whether to perform polling on a specific logical interface by combining predetermined information, such as the logical interface information received from the mode, the state of a logical interface collected and possessed by the modem, and the number of an interface on which a corresponding message is received, and a method in which the modem receives and processes the proactive command by performing polling on the logical interface.