Independent Receiver Tune-Away in Multi-SIM Transceivers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multi-SIM devices experience inefficient uplink and downlink throughput due to the need to shut down both transmit and receive chains when switching between different radio access technologies, leading to disruptions in communication sessions and synchronization.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves independently tuning the receiver's phase locked loop to monitor another radio access technology while keeping the transmitter's phase locked loop active, allowing for simultaneous communication on multiple networks without retuning the transmitter, thereby maintaining continuous data transfer on the primary network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If both transmit and receive chains are shut down to tune to a different RAT, then the device can switch to another radio access technology, but uplink and downlink throughput are severely compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to switch between different RATsVSAvoiduplink and downlink throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transceiver into independent transmit chain and receive chain components, allowing them to be controlled separately. The receive chain can be tuned to a different RAT while the transmit chain remains active on the original RAT, enabling selective tuning without shutting down the entire transceiver. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing RAT switching (improving adaptability) while maintaining transmit operations (preserving throughput).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control where the receive chain can be independently retuned to different RATs based on communication needs, while the transmit chain maintains its current configuration. This dynamic, selective tuning approach allows the device to adapt to different networks without completely interrupting data transmission, thus improving versatility while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the transceiver is tuned to a different RAT, then the device can monitor another network, but synchronization with the primary network is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to monitor multiple networksVSAvoidsynchronization with primary network
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the transceiver into independent transmit and receive chains, the patent allows the receive chain to monitor a different RAT while the transmit chain maintains synchronization with the primary network. This independent control prevents complete loss of synchronization, as the transmit operations continue uninterrupted on the original RAT.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial tuning by retuning only the receive chain to the alternate RAT while leaving the transmit chain unchanged. This partial action approach allows the device to monitor another network without fully switching, thereby maintaining synchronization with the primary network through continued transmit operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional tune-away methods are used, then the device can switch between networks, but communication sessions experience disruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to switch between networksVSAvoidcommunication session continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the tuning operation into separate transmit and receive components, allowing the receive chain to switch to monitor another network while the transmit chain maintains active communication sessions on the primary network. This prevents disruption because the transmit operations continue without interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining transmit operations on the primary network while the receive chain performs tune-away to monitor other networks. The continuous transmit activity keeps communication sessions alive and synchronized, preventing disruptions that would occur with complete transceiver shutdown.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3172843B1Methods and apparatus for receiver only tune away in multi-SIM devices
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3172843B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3172843B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3172843B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for wireless communication are provided. In one aspect, an apparatus for wireless communication comprises a transmitter configured to transmit data at a first frequency on a first radio access technology. The apparatus comprises a receiver configured to receive data at the first frequency on the first radio access technology. The apparatus comprises a processor configured to tune the transmitter to the first frequency associated with the first radio access technology. The processor is configured to tune the receiver from the first frequency to a second frequency associated with a second radio access technology while the transmitter remains tuned to the first frequency associated with the first radio access technology. The processor is further configured erase data to be transmitted for the first radio access technology from at least one transmission channel slot when the first frequency and the second frequency satisfy a predetermined combination of frequencies.