Multi-SIM UE Radio Resource Optimization via Dynamic RF Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
User equipment (UE) devices with multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) face inefficiencies in radio resource utilization and throughput due to frequent frequency re-tuning and page monitoring interruptions, especially when one SIM is in an active state and another is idle, leading to wasted network resources and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A network node and UE device configuration that selectively tunes RF chains based on page scheduling information and denial probability thresholds, allowing data transfers to occur outside page monitoring intervals and optimizing frequency usage by selecting serving frequencies that minimize re-tuning events, thereby enhancing throughput and resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the RF chain is tuned to monitor paging occasions for an idle SIM, then the idle SIM can receive pages, but data transfers for the connected SIM are interrupted and throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically switches the RF chain between two operational modes: (1) monitoring paging occasions for the idle SIM, and (2) conducting data transfers for the connected SIM. This dynamic time-division approach allows the system to alternate between the two functions based on scheduling information, ensuring that both page monitoring reliability and data transfer throughput are maintained without continuous interruption of either function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the RF chain frequently switches between frequencies to support both SIMs, then both SIMs can maintain their respective states, but radio resource utilization deteriorates and performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by having the UE provide assistance information to the network in advance, including page scheduling information for the idle SIM and indication of connected SIM data transfer requirements. The network uses this advance information to proactively schedule data transfers during periods when the RF chain is not required for page monitoring, thereby eliminating the need for frequent frequency switching and optimizing radio resource utilization before conflicts arise.
3Productivity
If data transfers are scheduled during page monitoring intervals, then network resource utilization improves, but page monitoring reliability deteriorates and data transfers are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE provides assistance information to the network including page scheduling information for the idle SIM and indicators of connected SIM data transfer requirements. The network uses this feedback to intelligently schedule data transfers during intervals when page monitoring is not required, thereby optimizing network resource utilization while maintaining page monitoring reliability. The continuous feedback loop ensures scheduling decisions are based on current operational states of both SIMs.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) includes first and second subscriber identity modules (SIMs), possibly subscribed to different carriers. When the first SIM is in a connected state and the second SIM is in an idle state, the UE may need to periodically tune away a radio from a first frequency used for communication under the first SIM to a second frequency used for idle mode activity under the second SIM. The UE may provide to the network of the first SIM the second SIMs traffic activity pattern and/or serving frequency so that the network may provide coordinated configuration and/or scheduling for the UE device, e.g., in order to make the action of tuning away (and tuning back) the radio more efficient and/or to decrease the network impact of such radio tune aways (e.g., to decrease wasted uplink scheduling and wasted downlink transmissions for the first SIM).