Multi-SIM UE Association Through S-TMSI RRC Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies due to the lack of effective methods for associating multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) with the same user equipment (UE), leading to redundant information exchange, resource collisions, and wasted time, power, and processing resources.
Innovation Solution
A method where the UE transmits the serving temporary mobile subscriber identity (S-TMSI) of a first SIM during the RRC setup procedure for a second SIM, allowing the base station to associate both SIMs with the same UE, thereby optimizing resource allocation and reducing redundant signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple SIMs are associated with the same UE without a standardized method, then each SIM is treated as a separate UE, but this leads to redundant information exchange and wasted signaling resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple SIMs under a single UE identity by introducing an association mechanism. The base station maintains a mapping between multiple S-TMSIs and a single UE ID, allowing multiple SIMs to share the same UE context. This combining approach eliminates redundant information exchange while maintaining manageable signaling complexity through centralized association tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables a single UE to perform multiple functions by supporting multiple SIMs simultaneously. The UE can handle different subscriber identities (first SIM and second SIM) while maintaining a unified connection management structure. The base station's association mechanism allows the same UE to interact with the network through multiple SIM identities without requiring separate handling for each, achieving multi-functionality with efficient resource utilization.
2Reliability
If multiple SIMs are independently managed without association, then each SIM has dedicated resources, but this causes resource collisions when both SIMs need simultaneous access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines resource management for multiple SIMs into a unified structure at the UE level. By associating multiple SIMs with a single UE, the system allocates resources to the UE as a whole rather than independently to each SIM. This prevents resource collisions by ensuring that resources granted to the UE are coordinated across all associated SIMs, maintaining both reliability and productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the UE establishes separate RRC connections for each SIM, then each SIM can be managed independently, but this consumes excessive time and power for connection setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary association of multiple SIMs with a single UE during the initial connection setup. Instead of establishing separate RRC connections for each SIM, the system pre-associates the SIMs with the UE identity, creating a unified management structure from the outset. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated connection setup procedures for each SIM, significantly reducing time and power consumption while maintaining independent SIM management capabilities through the association mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may perform a radio resource control (RRC) setup procedure for a first subscriber identity module (SIM) of the UE and transmit a serving temporary mobile subscriber identity of the first SIM in association with an RRC setup procedure for a second SIM. Numerous other aspects are provided.