Multi-SIM Carrier Reallocation for Tune-Away Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-SIM wireless communication devices face inefficiencies in managing carrier reallocation for idle or standby mode operations, leading to adverse impacts on active communication due to tune-away, with current solutions varying by implementation and lacking network-wide optimization.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for carrier reallocation in multi-SIM devices, where a network node provides indications for reallocation based on assistance information from the UE, optimizing carrier selection to minimize interference and ensure simultaneous communication across subscriptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the shared RF resource is used for idle or standby mode operations of one RAT connection, then the idle RAT connection can perform necessary network operations (e.g., receive paging messages), but the active RAT connection must be interrupted causing tune-away which degrades active communication performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidle RAT connection reliabilityVSAvoidactive communication throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of carrier selection by providing assistance information from the WTRU to the network node, which includes recommended carriers for reallocation. This allows the system to dynamically adjust which carrier is used for tune-away operations based on current network conditions and WTRU preferences, thereby minimizing the impact on active communication while ensuring idle RAT operations can proceed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If carrier reallocation is performed without network-wide optimization, then individual devices can manage their own tune-away operations, but different vendor devices implement varying solutions leading to inconsistency and suboptimal network performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice implementation flexibilityVSAvoidnetwork performance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the WTRU provides assistance information to the network node about its carrier preferences and capabilities. The network node then uses this feedback to make informed decisions about carrier reallocation, ensuring consistent network-wide optimization while still allowing device-specific preferences to be considered. This creates a closed-loop system that balances flexibility with consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4094544B1Carrier allocation in wireless network
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4094544B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4094544B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4a
  • EP4094544B1 patent drawingFigure 4b~5

AI summary

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising: receiving, from a network node serving a first subscription associated with the wireless communication device, an indication of one or more carriers for reallocation to monitor communication over a second subscription associated with the wireless communication device; identifying a first carrier from a plurality of carriers on the basis of the indication; and reallocating the first carrier to monitor communications over the second subscription.