Multi-SIM RAT Coordination for Collision-Aware Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Collisions between transmissions from multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) in wireless devices negatively impact user experience and strain battery life, while increasing power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A wireless device connects to multiple base stations using different radio access technologies (RATs) and adjusts configurations to enable simultaneous communication, disabling one RAT when another is in use for a call, allowing data communication on the second RAT.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the wireless device maintains multiple SIMs active concurrently with multiple RATs, then communication coverage and functionality are improved, but power consumption increases and transmission collisions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-SIM communication capabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic RAT selection and configuration switching based on real-time communication needs. The wireless device dynamically enables or disables specific RATs (LTE, NR, WLAN) depending on which SIM is actively transmitting or receiving, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption profile to actual usage patterns rather than maintaining all RATs continuously active

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic monitoring of SIM activity states and RAT availability. The device periodically checks which SIM requires active communication and accordingly activates only the necessary RATs during those periods, creating a rhythm of activation and deactivation that reduces overall power consumption while maintaining communication readiness when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the wireless device maintains multiple SIMs active concurrently with multiple RATs, then communication coverage and functionality are improved, but transmission collisions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-SIM communication capabilityVSAvoidtransmission collision avoidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a central coordination mechanism that acts as an intermediary between multiple SIMs and RATs. This coordination layer manages resource allocation, timing synchronization, and conflict resolution by determining which SIM can use which RAT at any given moment, preventing transmission collisions through centralized control rather than allowing independent SIM operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary scheduling and resource reservation where the system pre-determines which SIM will use which RAT for upcoming transmissions. By planning ahead and reserving resources before actual transmission occurs, the system prevents collisions by ensuring that conflicting transmissions are scheduled at different times or on different RATs before the collision could occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the wireless device disables one RAT when another is in use for a call, then power consumption is reduced, but communication flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidRAT selection flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of RATs by adjusting their active/inactive states based on communication requirements. When one RAT is determined to be sufficient for the active call, the system changes the parameter of other RATs from active to standby or inactive, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining the capability to switch back if needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250254746A1Communication Coordination and Power Saving Techniques for Multi-Subscriber Identity Module Devices

Publication Date: 2025.08.07 APPLE INC

AI summary

A wireless device may connect, using a first subscriber identity module (SIM), to a first base station according to a first radio access technology (RAT) and a second base station according to a second RAT. The wireless device may also connect, using a second SIM, to a third base station according to the first RAT. The wireless device may, in response to the second SIM performing a call according to the first RAT, disable the first RAT for the first SIM and perform, using the first SIM, data communication according to the second RAT while the call is performed using the second SIM.