SIM Applet OTA Update for NB-IoT Devices Without SMS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Narrow-band IoT devices without an SMS communication interface cannot update their SIM card parameters, including data and applications, after initial deployment, as they rely on SMS messages for updates, which is not feasible.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an applet on the SIM card that allows the device to poll the mobile network operator using a user datagram protocol (UDP) for data updates upon powering on, scheduling and automatically downloading the data over-the-air (OTA) without relying on SMS messages, thus enabling updates without replacing the SIM cards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If narrow-band IoT devices use SMS messages for SIM card updates, then update capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring SMS communication interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the SMS communication interface requirement from the update process. Instead of requiring the IoT device to have an SMS interface, the solution separates the update capability from the device itself and implements it purely in the SIM card through a background process that listens for SMS messages containing update commands, thereby eliminating the need for SMS hardware in the device while maintaining update capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component - a background process in the SIM card - that mediates between the SMS message reception and the actual update execution. This intermediary listens for SMS messages, parses update commands, and executes updates without requiring the device's main processor or SMS interface to be involved, thus decoupling the update function from the device complexity
2Reliability
If narrow-band IoT devices continuously poll for updates, then update availability is ensured, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the background process in the SIM card poll for update commands at predetermined intervals rather than continuously. This periodic polling mechanism ensures that update availability is maintained while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring, as the process can enter low-power states between polling intervals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by implementing the update checking and execution process entirely within the SIM card's background process. The SIM card autonomously monitors for update commands, downloads update data when available, and applies updates without requiring the device's main processor to remain active or consume additional energy, making the energy-efficient update mechanism self-contained
Data Source
AI summary
The methods, systems, and computer readable media discussed herein are directed to updating data in a subscriber identity module (SIM) of a user equipment (UE), and more specifically, to enabling the UE, such as a narrow-band (NB) Internet of things (IoT) device, to update data and application(s) in the SIM without using short messaging system (SMS) messages. The UE, upon powering on, may execute an applet installed on the SIM card, and poll the MNO to determine whether data to be downloaded is available. Upon determining that the data to be downloaded is available, the UE may schedule downloading of the data, automatically download the data via an over-the-air (OTA) protocol according to the schedule, and update the SIM with the downloaded data.