Single RF Transmit Chain Time-Sharing for Dual SIM Active Calls

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dual SIM dual active wireless devices often require two transceivers to maintain concurrent active connections, leading to inefficiencies and increased power consumption when fewer transceivers are available, especially in situations with high network loading or difficult RF coexistence.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method to manage multiple connections using a single RF transmit chain and/or receive chain, with a timesharing schedule that prioritizes calls and adapts to channel conditions, allowing for concurrent active connections on different networks while optimizing power usage and reducing interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two transceivers are used to maintain concurrent active connections, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of two separate transceivers into a single transceiver that can time-share between two SIM cards. The transceiver is configured to operate with two SIM cards by alternating between them, combining what would traditionally require two separate hardware units into one shared resource, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining dual active capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic time-division multiplexing where the transceiver dynamically switches between two SIM cards based on scheduled time slots. This dynamic operation allows a single transceiver to serve multiple functions sequentially, adapting its operation to maintain concurrent active connections without requiring static dedicated hardware for each SIM, thus reducing complexity while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If two transceivers are used to maintain concurrent active connections, then connection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the power consumption burden of two transceivers into a single transceiver that is activated only when needed for each SIM card. By merging the functionality and using time-sharing, the system consumes power in a single unit rather than continuously powering two separate transceivers, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to support concurrent active connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic time-division multiplexing where the transceiver operates in periodic cycles, alternating between serving the first SIM card and the second SIM card. This periodic action ensures that the transceiver is active only during its allocated time slots for each SIM, rather than continuously operating, which reduces average power consumption while maintaining connection reliability through scheduled operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Device complexity

If a single RF transmit chain and receive chain are used with timesharing, then device complexity is reduced, but network performance may deteriorate under high loading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidnetwork performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic timesharing with scheduled time slots that can be adjusted based on network conditions and call priorities. The system dynamically allocates time slots to different SIM cards, allowing flexible adaptation to network performance requirements. This dynamic scheduling mechanism helps maintain network performance under high loading by optimizing the distribution of transmit and receive operations across the single RF chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous useful action by maintaining both SIM cards in active state with scheduled time slots, rather than allowing one to go idle. The timesharing mechanism is designed to minimize interruptions and ensure that both SIM cards maintain their connections continuously, with the single RF chain switching between them in a manner that preserves network performance and prevents connection drops even under high network loading conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20150023217A1Dual SIM dual active subscriber identification module with a single transmit chain and dual or single receive chain

Publication Date: 2015.01.22 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product are provided. The apparatus may be configured to establish a first call for a first subscription, and accept a second call for a second subscription while maintaining the first call. A single RF transmit chain may be scheduled for uplink transmissions associated with the first call and uplink transmissions associated with the second call. A timesharing schedule for the transmit chain may determine timing for the uplink transmissions associated with the first call is transmitted and when the uplink transmissions associated with the second call is transmitted on the transmit chain. Downlink transmissions associated with the first and second calls may be received using different receive chain. Downlink transmissions associated with the first and second calls may be received using the same receive chain.