Shared RF Front-End Bundling for Dual-SIM Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular radio communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing multiple subscriber identities, particularly in dual-SIM operations, either requiring additional hardware for dual-SIM-dual-active mode or limiting operations to single SIM use in dual-SIM-passive mode, leading to increased costs and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A user equipment device with a shared RF front end and communication controller that establishes a single protocol stack for multiple SIMs, providing identity-bundling capability information to enable simultaneous and efficient use of radio bearers for multiple subscriber identities without additional hardware, allowing shared communication capabilities across different network operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dual-SIM-dual-active operation is implemented with separate RF front ends, then simultaneous communication for multiple subscriber identities is enabled, but material costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple RF front ends into a single shared RF front end that serves multiple subscriber identities. The communication controller dynamically allocates the shared RF front end to different SIMs based on communication needs, enabling dual-SIM operation without requiring separate RF hardware for each SIM, thus reducing device complexity and material costs while maintaining simultaneous communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single RF front end is designed with multi-functionality to handle communications for multiple subscriber identities. The communication controller enables the RF front end to switch between different SIMs and support both dual-active and passive modes, making the hardware universal and adaptable to various dual-SIM operation scenarios without requiring additional specialized components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dual-SIM-dual-active operation is implemented with separate RF front ends, then simultaneous communication for multiple subscriber identities is enabled, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple RF front ends into a single shared resource, the patent reduces the total power consumption associated with RF operations. Instead of multiple independent RF chains consuming energy simultaneously, a single RF front end is activated only when needed for specific SIMs, significantly lowering overall energy consumption while maintaining the ability to communicate on multiple identities.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication controller implements periodic time-division multiplexing of the shared RF front end between different SIMs. Rather than maintaining continuous simultaneous active connections for all SIMs, the system dynamically switches the RF front end between SIMs based on communication requirements, creating periodic activation patterns that reduce average energy consumption while preserving simultaneous communication capability.
3Device complexity
If dual-SIM-passive operation with SIM switching is used, then device complexity is reduced, but communication continuity is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control through the communication controller that manages the shared RF front end. Instead of static SIM switching that interrupts communication, the dynamic controller monitors communication states of multiple SIMs and intelligently allocates the RF front end to maintain active connections, enabling seamless transitions and continuous communication without the limitations of static switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system ensures continuity of useful communication action by implementing intelligent resource management. When one SIM is actively using the RF front end, the controller maintains readiness to switch to another SIM without complete disconnection, and can perform handovers or parallel session management that ensures uninterrupted communication flow, eliminating the communication gaps inherent in traditional SIM-switching approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment device for use in a cellular radio communication system, comprising a radio frequency, herein RF, front end, which is configured for RF communication with a base station node of the cellular radio communication system, a communication controller, which is configured to control operation of the RF front end wherein the communication controller is configured to establish an operative signalling connection with a first subscriber identity module, herein SIM, which comprises first subscriber identity information associated with a first subscriber identity, herein first identity to establish an operative signalling connection with a second SIM, which comprises second subscriber identity information associated with a second subscriber identity, herein second identity, that is different from the first identity upon establishing the operative signalling connection with the second SIM, to establish an instance of a protocol stack and to provide to the base station node identity-bundling capability information that is indicative of a shared communication capability provided by the user equipment device via the RF front end and associated with the first identity and with the second identity to subsequently control shared use of the RF front end and shared use of the established instance of the protocol stack in establishing, maintaining and terminating respective radio bearers associated with the first identity and with the second identity, respectively, via the base station node.