Wireless Device Provisioning Converter for Multi-Network Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of CDMA technology into existing GSM networks poses challenges due to differences in air interface protocols, requiring a method to convert provisioning information from GSM SIMs to enable seamless communication across both networks.
Innovation Solution
A wireless device with a transceiver capable of communicating over both CDMA and GSM air interfaces, equipped with a processor that converts GSM provisioning information into corresponding CDMA information, using a non-volatile memory to store default provisioning data for both networks, allowing the device to establish connections using either protocol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile unit is deployed to support both CDMA and GSM air interfaces, then network availability and versatility are improved, but device complexity and provisioning difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile station is designed to support multiple air interface protocols (GSM and CDMA) within a single device, enabling universal compatibility across different network types. The device includes multiple transceivers and processors that can operate with either GSM or CDMA networks, allowing users to access both network types without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
A provisioning information converter acts as an intermediary component that translates provisioning data between GSM and CDMA formats. When the mobile station accesses a GSM network, the converter retrieves GSM provisioning information and converts it into CDMA-compatible format, enabling seamless operation on CDMA networks without manual re-provisioning.
2Ease of manufacture
If CDMA is implemented as an overlay to GSM network, then cost is reduced by reusing existing infrastructure, but compatibility issues arise due to different air interface protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning information converter dynamically changes the format and parameters of provisioning data based on the target network type. When converting from GSM to CDMA, the converter transforms parameters such as network identifiers, authentication keys, and configuration data into the appropriate CDMA format, ensuring reliable operation on overlay CDMA networks while maintaining cost efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If GSM provisioning information is converted to CDMA information, then seamless communication across networks is enabled, but information processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The provisioning information converter is pre-configured with conversion rules and mappings between GSM and CDMA provisioning formats. When the mobile station first accesses a GSM network, the converter proactively converts the provisioning information to CDMA format and stores it locally, so that when the user later accesses a CDMA network, the conversion process is already complete and no additional time is required.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communications device is configurable to communicate with either one of two networks over a wireless medium, each of the two networks having a different air interface protocol. Additionally, the wireless device includes stored provisioning information for a set of networks of a first type and can map this first provisioning information into a second format for use with networks of a second type. The device also includes a non-volatile memory for storing default provisioning information so that some information remains available regardless of what is erased from the memory. The default provisioning information is enough to establish a connection over one of the available networks and allow reconstruction of a provisioning list.