Network-Assisted Multi-Subscription Physical Layer Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-SIM wireless communication devices, especially those with a single radio, face limitations in concurrent operation as only one SIM can be active at a time, leading to missed calls and interrupted connections due to lack of network awareness of physical layer sharing, resulting in inefficient resource allocation and potential service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a user equipment (UE) transmitting a physical layer sharing capability indication and multi-subscription coordination capability to the network, allowing simultaneous management of multiple subscriptions by identifying and coordinating the radio resource control (RRC) states of multiple SIMs, triggering cell reselection, and establishing concurrent connections across different serving cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single radio is used for multi-SIM operation, then device complexity is reduced, but concurrent operation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic state management where the single radio can be selectively assigned to different SIMs based on their operational needs. The network is informed of the physical layer sharing capability, enabling dynamic coordination of RRC states across multiple SIMs. This allows the system to switch between different operational modes (idle, connected, suspended) dynamically, achieving concurrent operation support without requiring multiple physical radios.
2Device complexity
If only one SIM can be active at a time, then resource allocation is simplified, but service reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes feedback mechanisms where the UE reports its physical layer sharing capability and multi-subscription coordination capability to the network. The network uses this feedback to make informed decisions about resource allocation and connection management. This feedback loop enables the network to maintain multiple SIMs in appropriate states (idle, connected, or suspended) based on actual service requirements, thereby improving service reliability while maintaining manageable resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary state coordination by establishing RRC connections and configuring parameters for multiple SIMs before service disruptions occur. The network is proactively informed of the UE's multi-subscription capability, allowing it to pre-configure appropriate states for each SIM. This preliminary setup ensures that when service switches are needed, they can occur smoothly without interruption or loss of connectivity.
3Device complexity
If physical layer sharing is not network-aware, then signaling overhead is reduced, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces preliminary signaling where the UE declares its physical layer sharing capability and multi-subscription coordination capability to the network before actual multi-SIM operations begin. This advance notification allows the network to understand the UE's operational constraints and capabilities, enabling more efficient resource allocation decisions. The network can then optimize its scheduling and resource distribution strategies based on this knowledge, improving overall resource allocation efficiency without requiring complex continuous signaling.
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are described that provide network assisted multi-subscription physical layer sharing at a user equipment (UE) by transmitting a multi-subscription coordination capability to a network, establishing a link for a first subscription with the network based on the multi-subscription coordination capability, and establishing a second subscription with the network using the link based on the multi-subscription coordination capability, the first subscription is associated with the second subscription.