Multi-SIM Cell Selection via Idle Task Conflict Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for selecting Radio Access Technology (RAT) and cells in wireless communication devices with multiple Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) in idle mode face challenges in radio resource management due to shared radio resources and conflicting needs between SIMs, leading to suboptimal performance and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the best cells and RATs for each SIM based on throughput or latency, and adapts the selection by identifying conflicting idle mode tasks to optimize radio resource management, allowing for independent RAT and cell selection for each SIM to improve performance and power efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a wireless communication device with multiple SIMs uses a single receiver shared between SIMs for power saving, then power consumption is reduced, but radio resource management becomes complex and performance deteriorates due to conflicting needs between SIMs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidradio resource management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the radio resource management by determining separate best cells and RATs for each SIM independently based on their respective idle mode tasks. This allows each SIM to have dedicated resource allocation decisions while still sharing the physical receiver, reducing management complexity through structured segmentation of decision-making for each SIM.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation by adjusting RAT and cell selection based on conflicting idle mode task detection. When conflicts are detected between SIMs' idle mode tasks, the system dynamically adapts the RAT or cell for one or both SIMs to resolve the conflict, enabling flexible resource management that responds to real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the wireless communication device independently determines best RAT and cell for each SIM based on throughput or latency, then performance is optimized, but conflicts arise in shared radio resource management during idle mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethroughput performanceVSAvoidradio resource management reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms by detecting conflicts between idle mode tasks of multiple SIMs after determining their respective best RATs and cells. The system uses this conflict detection feedback to trigger adaptive re-determination of RAT or cell for affected SIMs, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains reliability while pursuing performance optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters (RAT type or cell selection) dynamically based on detected conflicts. When conflicts are identified in shared radio resource management, the system modifies the RAT or cell parameters for one or more SIMs to eliminate the conflict, thereby maintaining system reliability while allowing performance optimization for non-conflicting configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If all LTE capable wireless communication devices are steered to LTE network, then network performance is improved, but total network performance optimization is limited due to lack of load balancing with older networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidnetwork selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by evaluating multiple RAT options (not just LTE) and selecting the best cell and RAT for each SIM based on current conditions, throughput requirements, and latency considerations. This allows the device to adaptively change RAT parameters rather than being locked into LTE-only operation, providing both performance optimization and network selection flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3391691B1Communication device and method therein for selecting cell and radio access technology in wireless communication network.
Publication Date: 2020.07.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3391691B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3391691B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3391691B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless communication device (140) and method therein for selecting cell and Radio Access Technology, RAT, in a wireless communication system (100) are disclosed. The wireless communication device (140) comprises at least two Subscriber Identity Modules, SIMs, and is in an idle operating mode. The wireless communication device determines a first cell and a first RAT for a first SIM to camp on and determines a second cell and a second RAT for a second SIM to camp on based on estimating throughput or latency of a number of RATs and cells in the wireless communication system (100). The wireless communication device further determines whether idle mode tasks of the first and second SIMs in the first and second cells overlaps at least partly in time. When the idle mode tasks of the first and second SIMs in the first and second cells overlaps at least partly in time, the wireless communication device selects which SIM needs to redetermine a cell and/or RAT to camp on and determines a third cell and/or a third RAT for the selected SIM.