Software-Defined Radio Chipset Carrier Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cellular communication devices are limited to operating on specific carrier networks due to hardware-defined radio chipsets, restricting user flexibility and requiring cumbersome physical changes of smart cards for different carriers, while also losing unique user account settings during re-provisioning.
Innovation Solution
Equipping devices with software-defined radio chipset modules, such as Qualcomm's Gobi®, and utilizing notation files to efficiently update and configure non-volatile provisioning data, allowing seamless switching between carriers by categorizing and managing non-volatile items for multiple carriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware-defined radio chipsets are used to operate on specific carrier networks, then device reliability on the specific carrier is improved, but device adaptability to multiple carriers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-defined radio chipsets with software-defined radio chipsets, substituting a mechanical/hardware system with a software-based system. This allows the device to be reconfigured through software to operate on multiple carrier networks while maintaining reliable operation on each specific carrier, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration capability where the radio chipset can be programmatically adjusted to match different carrier network parameters. The device can dynamically load and apply carrier-specific configuration files, enabling it to adapt its operation in real-time based on which carrier network it is accessing, thereby achieving both reliability on specific carriers and adaptability across multiple carriers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If software-defined radio chipset modules are used to enable operation on any carrier network, then device adaptability is improved, but provisioning complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the provisioning process into distinct, manageable components: carrier identification, parameter extraction, configuration file selection, and device reconfiguration. By breaking down the complex provisioning task into these discrete steps, the system manages multi-carrier adaptability while reducing the perceived and actual complexity of the provisioning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary provisioning system that acts as a mediator between the user and the complex software-defined radio configuration. This intermediary automatically handles the complex tasks of identifying the desired carrier, extracting relevant parameters, selecting appropriate configuration files, and applying the settings, thereby reducing provisioning complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
3Reliability
If carrier-specific parameter values are implemented for each carrier network, then network operation reliability is improved, but re-provisioning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring carrier-specific parameter sets and configuration files before they are needed. The system maintains a library of pre-prepared configuration files for multiple carriers, so when a user wants to switch carriers, the system can quickly retrieve and apply the appropriate pre-configured parameters rather than generating them from scratch, thus reducing re-provisioning time while maintaining operation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent efficiently manages parameter changes by implementing a systematic approach to switching between carrier configurations. The system stores carrier-specific parameters in an organized manner and can rapidly switch between different parameter sets by loading the appropriate configuration file, minimizing the time required for re-provisioning while ensuring that the correct parameters are applied for reliable operation on each carrier network.
4Ease of manufacture
If user account settings are reset during re-provisioning, then provisioning simplicity is improved, but user information loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by separating user account settings from carrier-specific parameters. The system extracts and preserves user-specific information (such as contact lists, preferences, and account settings) while only replacing the carrier-specific configuration parameters during re-provisioning. This allows the provisioning process to remain simple while preventing loss of valuable user information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different treatment to different types of data during re-provisioning. User account settings are protected and preserved, while carrier-specific parameters are updated. This localized approach ensures that only the necessary changes are made for carrier switching, maintaining provisioning simplicity while protecting user information from loss.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems enable communication devices equipped with software defined radio based chipset modules to seamlessly re-program the communication device to operate on any of a variety of service provider networks. By re-programming a communication device equipped with software defined radio based chipset module, the communication device can support communications over both UMTS and CDMA communication networks. An environment is provided which allows a user to quickly and efficiently switch between service provider accounts supporting communications.