Virtual SIM Sharing in CPE Devices for 5G Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CPE devices require physical SIM cards for wireless communication, limiting data throughput and bandwidth utilization, especially with 5G networks, and cannot share SIMs between devices, necessitating separate SIMs for different cellular phones and international access.
Innovation Solution
Implementing virtual SIM functionality in CPE devices through control circuits, storage, and wireless communication circuits that establish wireless links with other devices to obtain and configure virtual SIMs from physical SIMs, enabling SIM sharing and operation with different wireless protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a physical SIM card is installed in a CPE device, then the device can establish wireless communication with cellular networks, but the data throughput and bandwidth utilization are limited and cannot fully utilize high-speed 5G networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual SIM card that copies the authentication credentials and identity information from a physical SIM card. This virtual copy is stored in the CPE's memory, allowing the device to authenticate with cellular networks without requiring the physical SIM card hardware, thereby enabling full utilization of high-speed 5G networks while eliminating the bandwidth limitations imposed by physical SIM-based AP modes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical SIM card system with a software-based virtual SIM card system. Instead of relying on physical contact and hardware-based authentication, the system uses digital credentials stored in memory, substituting the mechanical insertion/removal mechanism with software-based identity management, thereby enabling higher data throughput and full 5G network utilization
2Adaptability or versatility
If a physical SIM card is used in a cellular phone, then the phone can access cellular networks, but the same SIM cannot be shared by different cellular phones for international access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables multiple devices to hold copies of the same virtual SIM card credentials. Instead of requiring each device to have a unique physical SIM card, the system creates and distributes virtual copies of the SIM identity information across multiple devices, allowing seamless sharing of cellular network access credentials internationally without needing multiple physical SIM cards
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes a single virtual SIM card credential set universally applicable across multiple different cellular phones and devices. The virtual SIM card design allows the same authentication credentials to function in any compatible device, providing multi-functionality and eliminating the need for device-specific or location-specific physical SIM cards
3Ease of operation
If a cellular phone operates in Wi-Fi AP mode to share internet access, then other devices can connect, but the data throughput is limited due to hardware cost considerations supporting only 802.11ac
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for Wi-Fi AP mode by using a virtual SIM card in the CPE device. The CPE directly authenticates with the cellular network using the virtual SIM credentials and establishes its own high-speed data connection, copying the internet access capability without requiring the phone to act as a Wi-Fi router, thereby achieving full 5G bandwidth utilization
Data Source
AI summary
A customer premise equipment (CPE) includes a control circuit, a storage device, and a wireless communication circuit. The storage device stores a virtual subscriber identity module (SIM). When the control circuit enables virtual SIM functionality on the CPE, the wireless communication circuit establishes a wireless communication link with a cellular telephone network via the virtual SIM.