Multi-SIM Network Slice Support Sharing for Efficient Connection Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-SIM terminals, different SIMs establish connections with network slices independently, leading to resource and signaling waste due to mismatched support conditions between SIMs and network-side devices, as they do not share feedback information.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for SIMs to exchange support information, allowing one SIM to transmit network slice information to another, enabling informed connection attempts based on network-side device feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different SIMs separately establish connections with network-side device, then each SIM can independently access network services, but resource and signaling waste occurs due to lack of support information sharing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the independent connection processes of multiple SIMs by having them share network slice support information through inter-SIM communication. The first SIM obtains support information from the network-side device and transmits it to the second SIM, allowing both to coordinate their connection attempts and avoid redundant signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the first SIM receives support information feedback from the network-side device regarding which network slices are supported, and then feeds this information back to the second SIM. This feedback loop enables the second SIM to adjust its connection strategy based on actual network capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If SIMs do not share support information, then each SIM can attempt connection independently, but connection failures occur when network-side device does not support requested slices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the first SIM obtain network slice support information from the network-side device before the second SIM attempts its connection. This advance information gathering allows the second SIM to select appropriate network slices based on confirmed network support, improving connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The first SIM acts as an intermediary between the network-side device and the second SIM. It retrieves support information from the network-side device and relays it to the second SIM, enabling the second SIM to make informed connection decisions without directly querying the network-side device.
3Measurement precision
If multiple SIMs query network slice support independently, then each SIM has accurate support information, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the information acquisition processes of multiple SIMs into a single query performed by the first SIM. Instead of each SIM independently querying the network-side device, the first SIM obtains the support information once and shares it with the second SIM, significantly reducing signaling overhead while maintaining information accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for determining support information. The method comprises: first SIM card, during the process of establishing a connection to a network side device, sending to the network side device information about n first network slices supported by the first SIM card; the first SIM card receiving first support information of the network side device for the n first network slices, the information having been sent by the network side device; and the first SIM card sending the first support information to a second SIM card. According to embodiments, the first SIM card may send transmit the first support information to the second SIM card, so as to enable the second SIM card to also be able to learn of the first support information of the network side device for the n first network slices, so that while the second SIM card is establishing a connection to the network side device, the second SIM card may send, to the network side device, information about network slices supported by the network side device, so that the second SIM card establishes a connection to the network side device that supports the network slices supported by the second SIM card, thereby avoiding wastage of resources and signaling.