JP2013198157A - Method for controlling channel activation related to multiplex radio communication technique sharing common radio resource, and device using the same method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for controlling channel activation related to a multiplex radio communication technique that shares a common radio resource, and a device using the same method.SOLUTION: A radio communication device that supports a plurality of radio communication techniques used by a plurality of subscriber identification modules (SIM) with a shared common radio resource is provided. The radio communication device includes: a processor logic for detecting a new area to which the radio communication device moves; a processor logic for determining at least one radio communication technique not supported in the new area; and a processor logic for deactivating channel activity related to a yet incompatible radio communication technique, and for avoiding the execution of normal service recovery by the incompatible radio communication technique.

Description

  The present invention relates to control of radio operations, and more particularly to control of channel activity associated with multiple radio communication technologies used by multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) that share common radio resources.

  Along with the growing demand for ubiquitous computing and networking, various wireless communication technologies such as global system of mobile communication (GSM) technology, general packet radio service (GPRS) technology, global evolutionary high-speed data rate (EDGE) technology Global interoperability of wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) technology, code division multiple access method 2000 (CDMA2000) technology, time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA) technology, WiMAX technology, Long term evolution (LTE) technology, long term evolution-advanced (LTE-A) technology, time-division LTE (TD-LTE) technology, and the like have been developed. In general, mobile phones support only one wireless communication technology regardless of their geographical location, and always provide mobile communication flexibility to users with supported wireless communication technology. In particular, in today's business world, mobile phones that make businesses convenient have become indispensable business tools. For business associates, having a separate mobile phone dedicated to business is a common choice because they need to do business when they are outside the office or outside the city / country. Having another cell phone is also a good way to save / control the cost of wireless service charges (including telephone business and / or data services). However, it is cumbersome to own more than one mobile phone when you have to switch frequencies between mobile phones and carry all the mobile phones. To make it convenient to have multiple subscriber numbers, dual card or multi-card mobile phones have become popular, these mobile phones support more than one subscriber identity module (SIM), and the SIM Share a common antenna and, if possible, a common single transceiver (or modem). Share antennas with optional share transceivers are collectively referred to as shared radio resources. In particular, dual card or multi-card mobile phones perform wireless transmission and reception associated with different wireless communication technologies.

  Note that for dual-card or multi-card designs, by using shared radio resources, only one SIM is allowed and at the same time gaining network resources between different SIMs and associated channel activity. To avoid collisions. That is, by using a shared radio resource, only one SIM is allowed at a time to obtain network resources, and another SIM is not controlled by the shared radio resource. For example, when a dual card mobile phone is deployed and radio resources that are shared during a certain time period corresponding to a time slot are occupied by SIM1, 3G radio communication technology, eg, WCDMA technology, CDMA2000 technology or TD-SCDMA Executes activity in packet transfer mode (PTM) related to technology, for example, multimedia messaging service (MMS), instant message service (IMS), file transfer by file transfer protocol (FTP), web browsing activity, etc. During the remainder of the cycle, the shared radio resources are occupied by the SIM2, perform active in a non-service state, eg, Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) search process for service recovery, and 2G radio Communication technology, eg GSM technology, G Idle mode associated with RS technology or EDGE technologies like, for example, such as in power measurements of neighbor cells for cell reselection and performs the activity.

  Nevertheless, when dual card or multi-card mobile phones are transported to foreign countries, for example, Japan, there are problems with the dual card or multi-card design and the 2G wireless communication technology used by SIM2 is not supported. Under this circumstance, SIM2 occupies radio resources shared in a certain period of time and periodically requests to perform the PLMN search process for service recovery, but supports 2G radio communication technology in foreign countries Since there is no service network, it fails to find a suitable cell to place. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the PS data service of SIM1 is excessively interrupted, and the throughput of the PS data service of SIM1 is clearly reduced. Alternatively, if the user arrives in Japan and turns on the dual card mobile phone and both mobile phone SIM1 and SIM2 have to perform PLMN search process to restore service, as shown in FIG. Because of the fact that shared radio resources are required by SIM2 for 2G service recovery, the time required to complete 3G service recovery for SIM1 is lengthened. The battery power of the dual card mobile phone seems to be excessively consumed due to unnecessary 2G service recovery.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling channel activity related to a multiplex radio communication technology sharing a common radio resource, and an apparatus using the same.

  The present invention proposes a flexible method for controlling channel activity associated with multiple radio communication technologies used by multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) that share common radio resources. In a first aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication device is provided that supports a plurality of wireless communication technologies used by a plurality of SIMs that share a common wireless resource. The wireless communication device includes processor logic that detects a new area in which the wireless communication device moves, processor logic that determines at least one wireless communication technology not supported in the new area, and channel activity associated with unsupported wireless communication technology. Processor logic that deactivates and avoids performing normal service recovery on unsupported wireless communication technologies.

  In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication device that supports a plurality of wireless communication technologies used by a plurality of SIMs that share a common wireless resource. The wireless communication device includes processor logic for detecting that the wireless communication device is at a boundary between the first region and the second region, and at least one wireless communication technology not supported in the first region but supported in the second region. And processor logic for activating channel activity for the determined wireless communication technology.

  In a third aspect of the invention, a method is provided for controlling channel activity associated with a plurality of radio communication technologies used by a plurality of SIMs sharing a common radio resource. The method includes detecting a new area in which the wireless communication device moves, determining at least one wireless communication technology not supported in the new area, and deactivating channel activity associated with the unsupported wireless communication technology. Avoiding normal service recovery of unsupported wireless communication technology.

  In a fourth aspect of the invention, a method is provided for controlling channel activity associated with a plurality of radio communication technologies used by a plurality of SIMs sharing a common radio resource. The method detects a wireless communication device at a boundary between the first region and the second region, and determines at least one wireless communication technology that is not supported in the first region but supported in the second region. And activating channel activity associated with the determined wireless communication technology.

FIG. 3 shows an ongoing PS data service of SIM1 that is interrupted by SIM2 service recovery. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating coordination between SIM1 3G service recovery and SIM2 2G service recovery. 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication environment according to a specific example of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware architecture of an MS according to an example of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a hardware architecture of an MS according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a hardware architecture of an MS according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flow of steps for initializing a packet switched (PS) data service in a WCDMA network. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flow of steps for initializing a packet switched (PS) data service in a WCDMA network. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a basic operation of a 2G PLMN search process in GSM / GPRS / EDGE technology according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a basic operation of a 3G PLMN search process in WCDMA technology according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling channel activity related to a plurality of radio communication technologies sharing a common radio resource according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling channel activity related to a plurality of radio communication technologies sharing a common radio resource according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling channel activity related to a plurality of radio communication technologies sharing a common radio resource according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating periodic update of an NSS table according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication environment according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication environment 300 includes a mobile station (MS) 310 and service networks 320 and 330. MS 310 is a wireless communication device that is located on two cells and then communicates wirelessly with service networks 320 and 330 using two separate subscriber numbers. Service networks 320 and 330 follow different wireless communication technologies. For example, service networks 320 and 330 are GSM / GPRS / EDGE and WCDMA networks, respectively, where the subscriber number (eg, telephone number) is two separate subscriber identity module (SIM) cards or universal SIM ( USIM) card or by one SIM magic card (ie, a SIM card holding more than one subscriber number). The MS 310 provides two or more sockets, each with a (U) SIM card inserted. To communicate with the same or different wireless telephony networks, insert two or more baseband modules, each enabling a different (U) SIM inserted, or one baseband module inserted, Enable all inserted (U) SIM cards.

  The MS 310 wirelessly accesses or makes wireless calls to Internet resources such as e-mail transmission, web browsing, file upload / download, instant messaging, streaming video, voice over IP (VoIP), and the like. In addition, a computer host or notebook is connected / coupled to the MS 310 to access Internet resources wirelessly. The MS 310 operates in an idle mode or a dedicated mode (or connection mode) of each inserted (U) SIM card. In idle mode, the MS searches or measures a good signal quality broadcast control channel (BCCH) from a cell provided by a specific service network or is synchronized to the BCCH of a specific cell and requests a dedicated channel. The random access process is continuously executed on the random access channel (RACH). In a dedicated mode, the MS 310 occupies the physical channel, attempts to synchronize, builds a logical channel, and performs a switch. When the MS 310 is equipped with one or more (U) SIM cards, the MS 310 operates in an idle mode or a dedicated mode of each inserted (U) SIM card. However, due to the fact that MS 310 has a single shared radio resource, using one (U) SIM card, communication can be performed with only one of service networks 320 and 330 at a time. To do. For example, if an MS 310 uses one (U) SIM card to operate in one of the service networks 320 and 330 and a dedicated mode for packet switched (PS) data services, the other (U) SIM card is “virtual”. Only the idle mode related activity is performed in the remaining period of the time period, i.e. the time slot not used for PS data service, said to be in "virtual idle" mode.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an MS hardware architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention. MS 400 includes a single RF module 420 coupled to a baseband chip 410 and an antenna 430. The baseband chip 410 includes a plurality of hardware devices, and performs baseband signal processing including analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) / digital-to-analog conversion (DAC), gain adjustment, modulation / demodulation, encoding / decoding, and the like. In particular, the baseband chip 410 includes processor logic and includes multiple radio communication technologies such as GSM / GPRS / EDGE technology, WCDMA technology, CDMA2000 technology, TD-SCDMA technology, LTE technology, LTE-Advanced technology or WiMAX technology or the like. Provide wireless communication functionality according to the combination. In addition, the baseband chip 410 further includes processor logic and controls channel activity associated with multiple wireless communication technologies supported in a wireless communication device with a shared antenna as proposed in the present invention. I will provide a. The RF module 420 receives an RF radio signal from the antenna 430 and converts the received RF radio signal into a baseband signal, which is then processed by the baseband chip 410 or from the baseband chip 410. , And converts the received baseband signal into an RF radio signal that is subsequently transmitted by antenna 430. The RF module 420 also includes a plurality of hardware devices and performs radio frequency conversion. For example, the RF module 420 includes a mixer to multiplex the baseband signal with a carrier that oscillates at the radio frequency of the radio communication network, and the radio frequency is 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, or 1900 MHz used for the GSM / GPRS / EDGE network, or , Based on 900 MHz, 1900 MHz or 2100 MHz used in WCDMA networks, or radio access technology (RAT). As shown in FIG. 4, the subscriber identification cards 10 and 20 are inserted into two sockets of the MS 400, respectively. The MS 400 further includes a dual card controller 440 coupled or connected between the baseband chip 410 and the subscriber identity card 10 and 20. The dual card controller 440 turns on the subscriber identity cards 10 and 20 at the same or different voltage levels as required by the power management IC (PMIC) (not shown) and the battery (not shown) and during the initialization period. Each subscriber identification voltage level is determined. The baseband chip 410 reads data from one of the subscriber identity certificates 10 and 20 and writes the data to one of the subscriber identity certificates 10 and 20 by the dual card controller 440. In addition, in accordance with a command issued by the baseband chip 410, the dual card controller 440 selectively transfers a clock, reset and / or data signal to the subscriber identification card 10 and 20. The subscriber identity cards 10 and 20 are two (U) SIM cards corresponding to the wireless communication technology supported by the baseband chip 410. This allows the MS 400 to be simultaneously located on two cells provided by the same network operator or different network operators of the inserted subscriber identity 10 and 20, with a single RF module 420 and baseband By using the chip 410, it operates in different modes, for example a dedicated mode and an idle mode. In addition, the MS 400 has a user interface device 450 to provide a user interface to the user and works with the MS 400 including a keyboard, touch panel, touch screen, joystick, mouse and / or scanner. During PS data service, for example, during web browsing, the user interface device 450 displays web content on the touch screen, and the user slides down / up / left / right on the touch screen, Browse the displayed content.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the hardware architecture of the MS according to another specific example of the present invention. Similar to FIG. 4, the baseband chip 510 performs baseband signaling processing, eg, ADC / DAC, gain adjustment, modulation / demodulation, encoding / decoding, etc., and includes processor logic and is in accordance with multiple wireless communication techniques. A method is provided that provides wireless communication functionality and controls channel activity associated with multiple wireless communication technologies supported by wireless communication devices with shared antennas as proposed in the present invention. However, the connection from the MS 500 to the subscriber identity cards 10 and 20 is handled independently by the two interfaces (I / F) provided in the baseband chip 510. It can be appreciated that the hardware architecture shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 is modified to include two or more subscriber identifications and the present invention is not so limited.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the hardware architecture of an MS according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. The example hardware architecture applies to any MS that utilizes both GSM / GPRS / EDGE and WCDMA technologies. In the example hardware architecture, two radio access technology (RAT) modules 610 and 620 share antenna 630. Each RAT module includes at least an RF module and a baseband chip and operates in a standby mode, an idle mode or a connected mode. The person skilled in the art, as another method, implements two or more baseband chips sharing a common RF module, so that the circuit portion of the common RF module and one corresponding baseband chip can be replaced with one RAT module. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 6, the GSM / GPRS / EDGE baseband chip 611 is coupled to a GSM / GPRS / EDGE RF module 612 and the WCDMA baseband chip 621 is coupled to a WCDMA RF module 622. In addition, when operating in a specific mode, each RAT module interacts with a specific subscriber identity, eg, (U) SIM A or B. The switching device 640 is coupled between the shared antenna 630 and a plurality of low noise amplifiers (LNA), and connects the antenna 630 and one LNA so that the RF signal can pass through the connected LNA. Each LNA amplifies the signal in the 2G / 3G band received by the shared antenna 630 and provides the signal to the corresponding RF module, which is a 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz band or 2100 MHz band . Once one of the baseband modules attempts to perform transmit / receive activity, eg, transmit (TX) or receive (RX) activity, it issues a control signal Ctrl_GSM_band_sel or Ctrl_WCDMA_band_sel and designates the switching device 640 as the antenna 630 to be shared. Instructs the connected LNA to connect. It should be noted that the GSM / GPRS / EDGE baseband chip 611 and the WCDMA baseband chip 621 are further connected to perform channel activity control related to the multiple radio communication technology as proposed in the present invention. It is to be. It is understood that GSM / GPRS / EDGE module 610 and WCDMA module 620 are examples of other wireless communication technologies such as CDMA2000 technology, TD-SCDMA technology, LTE technology, LTE-Advanced technology and WiMAX technology. It can be replaced by a wireless communication module using In addition, the hardware architecture shown in FIG. 6 has been modified to include more than one subscriber identification, and the present invention is not so limited.

  FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are diagrams for explaining the flow of steps for initializing the PS data service in the WCDMA network. The PS data service includes multimedia messaging service (MMS), instant message service (IMS), file transfer by file transfer protocol (FTP), web browsing, and the like. When one of the MS's SIM cards requests PS data services, the MS needs to perform a connection establishment process to establish a connection with the WCDMA network via the SIM card. During the connection establishment process, the MS first reads the system information broadcast on the BCCH and transmits a request message (RRC_CON_REQ in FIG. 7A) according to the system information to establish a connection with the WCDMA network. The request message includes the user equipment (UE) identity and the construction factor. In response to the request message, the radio network controller (RNC) of the WCDMA network answers the MS with a response message (RRC_CON_SETUP in FIG. 7A) that includes parameters required for connection establishment. Upon receipt of the response message, the MS uses the location information to establish a connection to the WCDMA network and transmits a confirmation message (RRC_CON_SETUP_COM in FIG. 7A) to the RNC. The confirmation message includes UE capability information of a known WCDMA network. After establishing the connection, the MS further transmits a service request (GMM: SERVICE_REQ in FIG. 7A) to the service GPRS support node (SGSN) of the WCDMA network. In particular, the service request is first transmitted to the RNC by an RRC message (RRC: INIT_DIR_TRAN in FIG. 7A) and then forwarded to the SGSN by a non-access layer (NAS) message (RANAP: INIT_UE_MSG in FIG. 7A). The

  Subsequently, before the WCDMA network can provide any service to the MS, the WCDMA network requires the MS to authenticate itself. The SGSN transmits an authentication request (GMM: AUTH_CIPHER_REQ in FIG. 7A) including an authentication token and a random number to the MS. In particular, the authentication request is first transmitted to the RNC by a NAS message (RANAP: DIR_TRAN in FIG. 7A) and transferred to the MS by an RRC message (RRC: DL_DIR_TRAN in FIG. 7A). Upon receiving the authentication request, the MS calculates an appropriate response (RES) based on the received authentication token and random number, and then transmits the RES in the authentication response (GMM: AUTH_CIPHER_RESP) in FIG. 7A to the SGSN. . In particular, the authentication response is first transmitted to the RNC by an RRC message (RRC: UL_DIR_TRAN in FIG. 7A), and then transferred to the SGSN by a NAS message (RANAP: DIR_TRAN in FIG. 7A). The SGSN then verifies the RES, and if the RES is correct, the MS is authenticated and allowed to access the WCDMA network. After that, the home location register (HLR) or the location location register (VLR) first encrypts and encrypts with the NAS message (RANAP: SEC_MOD_CMD in FIG. 7A) using the security mode command transmitted from the SGSN to the RNC. The RNC and the MS are instructed to start integrity protection and then forwarded to the MS by an RRC message (RRC: SEC_MOD_CMD in FIG. 7A). For encryption and integrity protection, integrity protection is mandatory, encryption is optional, and the algorithms used for encryption and integrity protection are predetermined and known to both the MS and the MSC / VLR. Only what is in common applies. Upon receiving the security mode command, the MS enters the security mode by placing parameters required for encryption and integrity protection, and first transmits to the RNC by the RRC message (RRC: SEC_MOD_COM in FIG. 7A). In response to the security mode response, the SGSN is answered and transferred to the SGSN by a NAS message (RANAP: SEC_MOD_COM in FIG. 7B).

  When both the MS and RNC are placed in security mode, the MS further initializes the packet data protocol (PDP) context activation process to generate the PDP context, and the MS and WCDMA network are connected to the PS data service. A packet data connection capable of translating IP packets is provided. The MS transmits a PDP context activation request (SM: ACT_PDP_CNTX_REQ in FIG. 7B) to the SGSN, which is first transmitted to the RNC by the RRC message (RRC: UL_DIR_TRAN in FIG. 7B), and then the NAS message ( It is transferred to SGSN by RANAP: DIR_TRAN in FIG. 7B. In response to the PDP context activation request, the SGSN uses the RNC allocation request (RANAP: RAB_ASS_REQ in FIG. 7B) including the PS data service quality of service (QoS), transport address, and Iu transport, etc. Initialize the construction of a radio access bearer (RAB). Thereafter, the RNC transmits a radio bearer (RB) setup request (RRC: RADIO_BEARER_SETUP in FIG. 7B) including an arrangement for adding a new RB to the MS. Upon receipt of the RB setup request, the MS builds a new RB, and then returns to the RNC by the RB setup confirmation (RRC: RADIO_BEARER_SETUP_COM in FIG. 7B), so that when receiving the RB setup confirmation, the RNC further The RAB allocation response (RANAP: RAB_ASS_RESP in FIG. 7B) is transmitted to the SGSN. Once the RB is correctly constructed, the SGSN transmits the PDP context activation reaction (SM: ACT_PDP_CNTX_ACC in FIG. 7B) to the MS, and the PDP context activation reaction starts with the NAS message (RANAP in FIG. 7B). : DIR_TRAN) is transmitted to the RNC, and is transferred to the MS by the RRC message (RRC: DL_DIR_TRAN in FIG. 7B). When the MS receives the PDP context activation response, a packet data connection is established in the PS data service and the process is successfully completed.

  In particular, when the MS receives a PDP context activation response, the baseband module associated with the SIM card enters packet transfer mode (PTM) (referred to as PTM SIM), sends and receives IP packet data over the WCDMA network, and The SIM card only pushes into virtual idle mode (referred to as virtual SIM). Before entering virtual idle mode, the same or different baseband module used by the PTM SIM is first required to perform a public land mobile network (PLMN) search process to locate the appropriate cell, Another idle mode related activity, eg, paging channel monitoring and cell reselection neighbor cell power measurement is performed later. In one embodiment, the PTM SIM PS data service pauses for a period of time (ie, at the expense of the time slot allocated to transceiver IP packet data), and performs another idle mode related activity of the PLMN search process and the virtual SIM. Run. In another embodiment, the PLMN search process and other idle mode related activities of the virtual SIM are performed in time slots not used by the PTM SIM.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a basic operation of a 2G PLMN search process in the GSM / GPRS / EDGE technology according to an embodiment of the present invention. A 2G power scanning operation initiates a 2G PLMN search process to place one or more potential or appropriate cells with good signal quality in the 2G band. Cell list where power scan operations are directed and stored on every possible RF channel of GSM / GPRS / EDGE frequency (ie full band power scan) or memory or storage device (ie save list power scan) To the specified RF channel of the GSM / GPRS / EDGE frequency recorded in or to a specific GSM / GPRS / EDGE frequency band. Based on the result of the 2G power scan operation (eg, received signal level RXLREV), a 2G cell search operation is then performed on the cell with the highest signal quality to detect each carrier for the presence of a frequency correction channel (FCCH). And the process of slot synchronization, frame synchronization and cipher character group identification and scrambling code identification. For slot synchronization, the baseband module associated with the virtual SIM achieves slot synchronization with the cell using the primary synchronization code of the synchronization channel (SCH). The FCCH burst (FCB) is an all-zero sequence, generates a fixed tone that enables the RF module, locks its local oscillator to the BS's clock, and the presence of the FCB identifies and synchronizes the carrier as a BCCH carrier. The baseband module associated with the virtual SIM then uses the SCH synchronization burst (SB) following the FCB, which has a long training sequence and coordinates frequency correction and timing synchronization well. Slot synchronization is achieved by a single matched filter (or similar device) that matches a primary synchronization code common to all cells. Cell slot timing is obtained by detecting peaks in the matched filter output. In the frame synchronization and cipher character group identification step, the MS uses the SCH secondary synchronization code to determine frame synchronization between the MS and the cell, and identifies the cipher character group of the cell found in the previous stage.

  After completion of the 2G power scan operation and the 2G cell search operation, the baseband module associated with the virtual SIM identifies cell framing and timing on node-B according to the BSIC. Thereafter, one or more system information (SI) messages are reserved on the broadcast control channel (BCCH). Different SI messages have different characteristics, eg, SI message repetition rate, characteristics related to MS requirements, and read broadcast system information and channel configuration of the selected cell and its neighboring cells. Next, the baseband module associated with the virtual SIM performs a 2G location update process via the traffic channel (TCH) to inform the GSM / GPRS / EDGE network at the location of the MS. If the 2G location update process is successfully completed, the MS is located on the cell and becomes the serving cell, and the virtual SIM enters the virtual idle mode.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a basic operation of a 3G PLMN search process in WCDMA technology according to an embodiment of the present invention. The 3G PLMN search process occurs after the MS is powered on or during a manual PLMN search triggered by the user. When the 3G PLMN search process in WCDMA technology begins, the baseband chip, eg, WCDMA baseband chip 621, directs the RF module, eg, WCDMA RF module 622, to perform the 3G power scan operation and in the 3G band One or more potential cells having good signal quality are arranged. Good signal quality means that the signal strength is greater than the threshold. The baseband chip performs a full power scan on every possible RF channel, or scans a specified RF channel recorded in the cell list, which is directed and stored in a memory or storage device Or scan a specific WCDMA band. Based on the result of the 3G power scan, a 3G cell search process is performed on the cell with the highest signal quality and includes the steps of slot synchronization, frame synchronization and cipher character group identification and scrambling code identification. For slot synchronization, the MS uses the SCH primary synchronization code to achieve slot synchronization with the cell. Slot synchronization is achieved by a single matched filter (or similar device) that matches a primary synchronization code common to all cells. Cell slot timing is obtained by detecting the peak of the matched filter output. During the frame synchronization and cipher character group identification process, the MS uses the SCH secondary synchronization code to determine frame synchronization between the MS and the cell, and identifies the cipher character group of the cell found in the previous stage. Frame synchronization is achieved by associating the received signal with every possible secondary synchronization code sequence to identify the maximum correlation value. Since the cyclic shift of the sequence is unique, the cipher character group and frame synchronization are determined. During the scrambling code identification process, the MS determines the exact primary scrambling code (PSC) used by the cell. The primary scrambling code is usually a common pilot channel (CPICH) having all codes in the cipher character group identified in the previous stage, and is identified by symbol-by-symbol correlation. After identifying the PSC, the primary common control physical channel (CCPCH) is detected, and the cell specific BCCH information is read.

  After completing the 3G power scan operation and the 3G cell search process, the baseband chip instructs the RF module to follow SFN and identifies the framing and timing of cells on node-B. One or more system information blocks (SIBs) are then read and collected together with homogeneous system information elements. Different SIBs have different characteristics, eg, characteristics regarding block repetition rate and MS requirements, and read SIBs. After collecting and storing the SIB of the cell in the memory or storage device, the baseband chip performs a 3G location update process through a dedicated channel (DCH), notifies the cellular network at that location, and places the cell as a serving cell To do. Once the MS has successfully reported its location to the cellular network, the 3G PLMN search process is complete.

  It should be noted that in the present invention, when the MS turns on or leaves the flight mode, the wireless communication technology supported in the visited area (eg, a country different from the home country to which the (U) SIM in the MS belongs). And then deactivates the channel activity associated with the unsupported wireless communication technology in the visited area, and normal service recovery for the unsupported wireless communication technology interrupts CS or PS data transmission / reception for another wireless communication technology. This can reduce battery power consumption in certain situations (particularly when the MS enters sleep mode).

表１ ＮＳＳ表
例のＮＳＳ表は、ＭＣＣが466である台湾のサポートされる無線通信技術が、ＧＳＭ／ＧＰＲＳ／ＥＤＧＥ、ＷＣＤＭＡ、ＣＤＭＡ２０００およびＷｉＭＡＸで、ＭＣＣが440である日本のサポートされる無線通信技術が、ＷＣＤＭＡ、ＬＴＥおよびＷｉＭＡＸであることを記述し、各国にとって、サポートされる無線通信技術は○、そうでなければ、×を入れている。別の具体例において、ＮＳＳ表は修正されて、さらに明確に、一国家の各サービスネットワークを記述し、ＰＬＭＮ識別子(ＰＬＭＮ ＩＤ)により表示され、どの無線通信技術をサポートするかを表示し、ＰＬＭＮ ＩＤは、サービスネットワークのモバイルネットワークコード(ＭＮＣ)とサービスネットワークがある国のＭＣＣから構成される。ＮＳＳ表は、ＭＳのストレージユニット、たとえば、ビルトインメモリ(フラッシュメモリ、不揮発性ランダムアクセスメモリ(NVRAM等)、挿入されるメモリカード等で保存される。 10A and 10B are flowcharts illustrating a method for controlling channel activity related to multiple radio communication technologies sharing common radio resources according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented in software code having an associated data structure stored in a memory device. When the software code is loaded and executed by the baseband chip processor, the operations described in the flowchart are performed. First, the MS attempts to obtain an area code, for example, a mobile country code (MCC), from system information broadcast in a cell of a service network related to a radio communication technology X in which a SIM is located ( Step S1001), and thereafter, it is determined whether a valid area code has been successfully obtained (step S1002). If radio technology X does not provide a valid area code, the MS is in a non-service state and performs the PLMN search process to any possible service associated with another radio technology supported by the MS A network is searched (step S1010). Next, the MS determines whether the service network has been searched or a valid area code has been obtained (step S1011). In this case, the step starts step S1004. Otherwise, the process returns to step S1010 to perform further search. After “Yes” in step S1002, the MS further determines whether the current area code has changed (step S1003). When the obtained area code broadcast in the cell of the service network is different from the area code stored in the MS, a change in the current area code is determined. For example, MCC refers to a national MS that is stored in non-volatile memory, a memory card, a SIM card, etc., and stays before turning off power or switching to flight mode. The current change in MCC means that the MS has been brought from one country to another. If the current area code has not changed, for example, the current MCC is left as it is, and then the process ends and the original arrangement is maintained in all modules equipped with wireless communication technology. If the current area code has changed, the MS checks the network support service (NSS) table for the wireless communication technology found in the detected region (eg, country) (step S1004). In one implementation, the NSS table records a plurality of national MCCs each associated with one or more supported wireless communication technologies. An example NSS table is shown below.

Table 1 NSS table The example NSS table shows the supported wireless communication technologies in Taiwan with GCC / GPRS / EDGE, WCDMA, CDMA2000 and WiMAX with MCC 466 and supported wireless communication in Japan with MCC 440. The technology is described as WCDMA, LTE, and WiMAX, and for each country, the supported wireless communication technology is ○, otherwise ×. In another embodiment, the NSS table has been modified to more clearly describe each service network in one country, indicated by a PLMN identifier (PLMN ID), indicating which wireless communication technology is supported, and the PLMN The ID is composed of the mobile network code (MNC) of the service network and the MCC of the country where the service network is located. The NSS table is stored in an MS storage unit, for example, built-in memory (flash memory, nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM, etc.), inserted memory card, or the like.

  After step S1004, it is determined whether one wireless communication technology Y used by the MS is found in the detected region (eg, country) with respect to the NSS table (step S1005), in which case the MS further determines the wireless communication technology It is determined whether the channel activity related to Y is currently deactivated (step S1006). If the channel activity related to the radio communication technology Y is deactivated, the MS restores the channel activity related to the radio communication technology Y for all SIMs (step S1007), and the process proceeds to step S1009, otherwise. For example, the process proceeds to step S1009 and there is no other operation. It can be seen that when the SIM is only allowed for wireless communication technology Y gain services, the MS can disable all channel activity for one SIM and stop communicating with the SIM, eg, periodic polling. Is to further save battery power. In addition, when all wireless communication technologies used by the SIM are not supported in the area, the MS disables all channel activity of one SIM and stops communicating with the SIM. If one SIM is allowed for the gain service of radio technologies X and Y, if radio technology Y is not supported in this area, the MS removes channel activity Y associated with all radio technologies. After “No” in step S1005, the MS deactivates the channel activation Y related to the wireless communication technology in all SIMs (step S1008), and the step executes step S1009. In step S1009, it is determined whether all wireless communication technologies other than the wireless communication technology X used by the MS have been sufficiently confirmed. In that case, the process ends. Otherwise, the process returns to step S1004 to confirm the next wireless communication technology. Thus, normal service recovery associated with an unsupported wireless communication technology does not interrupt CS or PS data transmission / reception associated with another wireless communication technology, and under certain conditions (especially when the MS enters sleep mode). , Battery power consumption is reduced. Normal service recovery supports performing the process on a regular basis, which is used to search for and locate an available cell for a particular wireless communication technology. For example, conventionally, after the MS detects that there is no cell of a specific radio communication technology of one SIM, normal service recovery is started as soon as possible and periodically. It runs every two minutes or in a smart search fashion until service is restored. In the smart search scheme, the MS wakes up and performs normal service recovery by doubling the previous sleep period.

  In a specific example, step S1003 is omitted. That is, the MS does not need to keep track of area changes, and whenever a valid area code is obtained, the MS executes a loop composed of steps S1004 to S1009.

  Or, when the MS detects that it approaches the boundary between two areas (eg, a state), it determines the radio communication technology supported in the two areas and then the channel associated with the radio communication technology that is not supported in either Normal service recovery associated with an unsupported wireless communication technology that deactivates does not interrupt CS or PS data transmission and reception associated with another wireless communication technology. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling channel activity related to a plurality of radio communication technologies sharing a common radio resource according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method is implemented in software code having an associated data structure, which is loaded and executed by a baseband chip processor to perform the following steps. First, the MS obtains two different area codes (for example, MCC) (step S1101). Two different area codes are obtained from the system information broadcast in the serving cell in which one SIM is currently located and from neighboring cells, respectively. Alternatively, one area code is stored in a memory device or a storage device and indicates a recently entered area, and another area code is obtained from a serving cell where one SIM is currently located. Detection of a two-area code means that the MS is at the boundary of two countries or crosses from country to country. Under this circumstance, the MS checks the NSS table (step S1102), and activates the channel activity related to the radio communication technology (deactivated because it is not supported in the currently moving area) for all SIMs (S1103). ). Next, it is determined whether one of the two area codes is no longer detected in a predetermined period (step S1104), that is, whether the MS has entered a new area and has left the boundary. In that case, the MS checks the NSS table (step S1105) and deactivates the channel activity related to the radio communication technology (not found in the new area indicated by the remaining area code) for all SIMs (step S1106). Then, the process is finished. In step S1106, when all wireless communication technologies used by the SIM are not supported in the new area, the MS disables all channel activity for one SIM and stops communicating with the SIM. Otherwise, the process returns to step S1104.

  In addition, when the wireless communication technology supported by the area is not necessarily unchanged, the MS maintains a check timer and counts a predetermined period for periodically updating the NSS table. In one embodiment, the predetermined period is set to a relatively long time, for example, a day, a week, or a month or more. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating periodic updating of the NSS table according to an embodiment of the present invention. The periodic update mechanism is implemented with software code having an associated data structure when the software code is loaded and implemented by the baseband chip processor. First, it is determined whether the check timer has expired (step S1201). In that case, the MS determines whether any one of the wireless communication technologies has been deactivated (step S1202). If one or more wireless communication technologies are deactivated, the MS performs a network recovery search for all available service networks using the deactivated wireless communication technology (step S1203). Subsequently, it is determined whether one or more service networks using one of the deactivated wireless communication technologies are detected (step S1204). In that case, the MS updates the related cell in the NSS table in the area where the user is currently staying (step S1205). Next, the MS reactivates the channel activity used for the detected service network related to the wireless communication technology for all SIMs (step S1206), and then restarts the check timer (step S1207). After “No” in steps S1202 and S1204, the process proceeds to step S1207, and the check timer is restarted. What can be understood is that the main purpose of the method is different from normal service recovery by updating the NSS table.

  In the present invention, preferred embodiments have been disclosed as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the present invention, and any person who is familiar with the technology can use various methods within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Variations and moist colors can be added, so the protection scope of the present invention is based on what is specified in the claims.

300 Wireless communication environment 310 Mobile station (MS)
320, 330 Service network 400 MS
410 Baseband chip 420 RF module 430 Antenna 440 Dual card controller 450 User interface device 10, 20 Subscriber identification card 500 MS
510 Baseband chip 610, 620 Radio access technology (RAT) module 630 Antenna 640 Switching device 611 GSM / GPRS / EDGE baseband chip 612 GSM / GPRS / EDGE RF module 621 WCDMA baseband chip 622 WCDMARF module

Claims (26)

A wireless communication device that supports a plurality of wireless communication technologies used by a plurality of subscriber identity modules (SIMs) that share a common wireless resource,
Processor logic for detecting a new area in which the wireless communication device moves; and
Processor logic to determine at least one of the wireless communication technologies not supported in the new area; and
Processor logic that deactivates channel activity associated with the unsupported (unsupported) wireless communication technology for the SIM and prevents the unsupported wireless communication technology from performing normal service recovery; ,
The apparatus characterized by including.   In addition, when the first area code is different from the second area code stored in the storage unit when the first area code is obtained from system information broadcast in a service network cell, including processor logic, the wireless The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device determines that the communication device moves in the new area, and indicates a region in which the wireless communication device stays before the power is turned off or switched to a flight mode.   The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the new area indicates a new country, and the first and second area codes are mobile country codes.   In addition, a table that includes storage units and stores unsupported wireless communication technologies in different areas is stored, and the unsupported wireless communication technologies in the new area are determined by checking the table. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1.   Further, including a processor logic, periodically performing a network recovery search on a possible service network using the unsupported wireless communication technology, and updating the table according to a result of the network recovery search. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 4.   In addition, processor logic is included to disable all channel activity and stop communication with the SIM for one SIM when all wireless communication technologies used by the SIM are not supported in the new area. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1. A wireless communication device that supports a plurality of wireless communication technologies used by a plurality of subscriber identity modules (SIMs) that share a common wireless resource,
Processor logic for detecting that the wireless communication device is at the boundary between the first region and the second region;
Processor logic that determines at least one of the wireless communication technologies not supported in the first region but supported in the second region, and processor logic that activates channel activity associated with the determined wireless communication technologies;
The apparatus characterized by including. further,
Processor logic for detecting that the wireless communication device enters the second region and leaves the boundary;
Processor logic for determining at least one of the wireless communication technologies not supported in the second region, and deactivating the channel activity associated with the unsupported wireless communication technology for the SIM, so that the unsupported wireless communication Technology with processor logic to avoid performing normal service recovery, and
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 7, comprising:   Further, when the second area code is obtained from system information broadcast in one cell, including processor logic, and the second area code is different from the first area code stored in the storage unit, the wireless communication device The wireless communication device according to claim 7, wherein the wireless communication device indicates the first area where the wireless communication device currently enters.   The first and second area codes further include processor logic, wherein a first area code is obtained from system information broadcast in the first cell and a second area code is obtained from system information broadcast in the second cell. The wireless communication device according to claim 7, wherein the wireless communication device determines that the wireless communication device is at the boundary when the two are different.   The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first area indicates a first country, and the second area indicates a second country.   In addition, a table that describes supported and unsupported wireless communication technologies in different areas, including storage units, is stored, and in the second region, the unsupported and supported wireless communication technologies are stored in the table. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the wireless communication apparatus is determined by checking.   Further, including processor logic, when all wireless communication technologies used by the SIM are not supported in the second region, all channel activity is disabled for one SIM and communication with the SIM is stopped. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 8. A method for controlling channel activity associated with a plurality of radio communication technologies used by a plurality of subscriber identity modules (SIM) sharing a common radio resource, comprising:
Detecting a new area in which the wireless communication device moves; and
Determining at least one wireless communication technology not supported in the new area;
Deactivating the channel activity associated with the communication technology for the SIM to avoid performing normal service recovery on the unsupported wireless communication technology;
A method comprising the steps of: further,
Obtaining a first area code from system information broadcast in one cell of the service network;
When the first area code is different from the second area code stored in the storage unit, it is determined that the wireless communication device moves in the new area, and the wireless communication device is turned off or in a flight mode. Showing the area to stay before switching,
15. The method of claim 14, comprising:   16. The method of claim 15, wherein the new area indicates a new country and the first and second area codes are mobile country codes.   The wireless communication device includes a storage unit, stores a table describing unsupported wireless communication technology in different areas, and the unsupported wireless communication technology in the new area is determined by checking the table. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein: further,
Periodically performing a network recovery search on a possible service network using the unsupported wireless communication technology;
Updating the table according to the results of the network recovery search;
The method of claim 17, comprising:   The method further comprises disabling all channel activity for one SIM and stopping communication with the SIM when all wireless communication technologies used by the SIM are not supported in the new area. 14. The method according to 14. A method for controlling channel activity associated with a plurality of radio communication technologies used by a plurality of subscriber identity modules (SIM) sharing a common radio resource, comprising:
Detecting that the wireless communication device is at the boundary between the first region and the second region;
Determining at least one of the wireless communication technologies not supported in the first region but supported in the second region;
Activating channel activity associated with the determined wireless communication technology;
A method comprising the steps of: further,
Detecting that the wireless communication device enters the second region and leaves the boundary;
Determining at least one wireless communication technology not supported in the second region;
Deactivating channel activity associated with the unsupported wireless communication technology for the SIM to avoid performing normal service recovery on the unsupported wireless communication technology;
21. The method of claim 20, comprising: further,
Obtaining a second area code from system information broadcast in one cell, and when the second area code is different from the first area code stored in a storage unit, the wireless communication device is at the boundary Determining and indicating the first region into which the wireless communication device currently enters; and
21. The method of claim 20, comprising: further,
From the system information broadcast in the first cell, the first area code, from the system information broadcast in the second cell, obtaining a second area code;
Determining that the wireless communication device is at the boundary when the first and second area codes are different;
21. The method of claim 20, comprising:   The method of claim 21, wherein the first region represents a first country and the second region represents a second country.   The wireless communication device includes a storage unit and stores a table that describes supported and unsupported wireless communication technologies in different areas, the unsupported and supported wireless communication technologies in the second region are: The method of claim 21, wherein the method is determined by checking the table.   The method further comprises disabling all channel activity for one SIM and stopping communication with the SIM when all wireless communication technologies used by the SIM are not supported in the second region. Item 22. The method according to Item 21.

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