WO2013027088A1

WO2013027088A1 - Method and apparatus for using diversity receiver for multiple subscriber identity modules

Info

Publication number: WO2013027088A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/053725
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jakob Ludvigsen
Original assignee: Nokia Corporation
Priority date: 2011-08-24
Filing date: 2011-08-24
Publication date: 2013-02-28

Abstract

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receive signals intended for a first subscriber identity module using a first receiver; and monitor at least one paging channel for receiving signals intended for a second subscriber identity module using a second receiver, wherein the first subscriber identity module and the second subscriber identity module reside in the apparatus.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING DIVERSITY RECEIVER FOR MULTIPLE

SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULES

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to use of diversity receiver for reception for secondary subscriber identity module, SIM, in multiple SIM scenarios.

BACKGROUND

A SIM card, also known as a subscriber identity module, is a smart card that stores data for subscribers. A dual SIM mobile phone is one which holds two SIM cards. Dual SIM operation allows the use of two services without the need to carry two phones at the same time. Receiver diversity is one of several wireless diversity schemes that use two or more receivers to improve the quality and reliability of a wireless link.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of examples of the invention are set out in the claims.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receive signals intended for a first subscriber identity module using a first receiver; and monitor at least one paging channel for receiving signals intended for a second subscriber identity module using a second receiver, wherein the first subscriber identity module and the second subscriber identity module reside in the apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method comprising: receiving signals intended for a first subscriber identity module using a first receiver; and monitoring at least one paging channel for receiving signals intended for a second subscriber identity module using a second receiver, wherein the first subscriber identity module and the second subscriber identity module reside in an apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing computer program code embodied therein for use with a computer, the computer program code comprising: code for receiving signals intended for a first subscriber identity module using a first receiver; and code for monitoring at least one paging channel for receiving signals intended for a second subscriber identity module using a second receiver, wherein the first subscriber identity module and the second subscriber identity module reside in an apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of example embodiments of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 illustrates an arrangement where some embodiments of the invention may be practiced;

FIGURE 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for periodically performing paging with diversity receivers in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention; and

FIGURE 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for performing paging and diversity combining with diversity receivers in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTON OF THE DRAWINGS

An example embodiment of the present invention and its potential advantages are understood by referring to FIGURES 1 through 4 of the drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a block diagram depicting an electronic device 100 operating in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.

As shown, the electronic device 100 may include an antenna 120 (or multiple antennas 120) in communication with a transmitter 121 and a receiver 122. In an example embodiment, the electronic device 100 comprises a processor 110 or other processing component. In an example embodiment, the electronic device 100 may comprise multiple processors, such as processor 110. The processor may provide signals to and receives signals from the transmitter and receiver, respectively. These signals may include signaling information in accordance with an air interface standard of an applicable cellular system, and/or any number of different wireline or wireless networking techniques, comprising but not limited to Wi-Fi, wireless local access network (WLAN) techniques such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 , and/or the like. In addition, these signals may include speech data, user generated data, user requested data, and/or the like. In this regard, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating with one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, access types, and/or the like. More particularly, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with various first generation ( 1 G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, third-generation (3G) communication protocols, fourth-generation (4G) communication protocols, and/ or the like. For example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with 2G wireless

communication protocols IS- 136 (Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), IS-95 (Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)), and/or the like. Also, for example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with 2.5G wireless

communication protocols General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), and/or the like. Further, for example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with 3G wireless communication protocols such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), and/ or the like. The mobile terminal may be additionally capable of operating in accordance with 3.9G wireless communication protocols such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) and/ or the like. Additionally, for example, the mobile terminal may be capable of operating in accordance with fourth-generation (4G) wireless communication protocols and/ or the like as well as similar wireless communication protocols that may be developed in the future.

Some Narrow-band Advanced Mobile Phone System (NAMPS), as well as Total Access Communication System (TACS), mobile terminals may also benefit from some embodiments of this invention, as should dual or higher mode phones (e.g., digital/analog or TDMA CDMA analog phones). Additionally, the electronic device 100 may be capable of operating according to Wi-Fi or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) protocols. In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may be capable of operating with one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, access types, and/or the like.

As shown, the electronic device 100 may comprise a second transmitter 124 and receiver 125. Coupled with antennas 120 and 123, receivers 122 and 125 together may be used as diversity receivers. Multiple antennas offer several observations of the same signal. Each antenna will experience a different interference environment. Thus, if one antenna is experiencing a deep fade, it is likely that another has a sufficient signal, hence offers diversity to the received signals. Collectively such a system provides a robust link.

It is understood that the processor 110 may comprise circuitry for implementing audio/video and logic functions of the electronic device 100. For example, the processor may comprise a digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to-analog converter, and/or the like. Control and signal processing functions of the mobile terminal may be allocated between these devices according to their respective capabilities. The processor may additionally comprise functionality to operate one or more software programs, which may be stored in memory. For example, the processor may be capable of operating a connectivity program, such as a web browser. The connectivity program may allow the mobile terminal to transmit and receive web content, such as location-based content, according to a protocol, such as Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), and/or the like. The electronic device 100 may be capable of using a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to transmit and receive web content across the internet or other networks.

The electronic device 100 may also comprise a user interface including, for example, an earphone or speaker 131 , a ringer 132, a microphone 133, a display 134, a user input interface, and/or the like, which may be operationally coupled to the processor 110. Although not shown, the mobile terminal may comprise a battery for powering various circuits related to the mobile terminal, for example, a circuit to provide mechanical vibration as a detectable output. The user input interface may comprise devices allowing the mobile terminal to receive data, such as a keypad 135, a touch display (not shown), a joystick (not shown), and/or other input device. In embodiments including a keypad, the keypad may comprise numeric (0-9) and related keys (#, *), and/or other keys for operating the mobile terminal.

The electronic device 100 may comprise memory, such as a subscriber identity module (SIM) 141 , a removable user identity module (R-UIM), and/or the like, which may store information elements related to a mobile subscriber. Such information elements may include user identity, location and phone number, network authorization data, personal security keys, contact list, stored text message, and/ or the like. The electronic device 100 may comprise a second SIM 142. A multiple SIM electronic device is one which holds more than one SIM card. In an example embodiment, more than one SIM card may be active at the same time. Multiple SIM operation allows the use of more than one services without the need to carry more than one devices at the same time. For example, the same electronic device can be used for business and private use with separate numbers and bills; or for travel, with an additional SIM for the country visited. Using multiple SIM cards allows the user to take advantage of different pricing plans for calls and text messages to certain destinations.

In addition to the SIM, the mobile terminal may comprise other removable and/ or fixed memory. The mobile terminal may include volatile memory 151 and/or non-volatile memory 152. For example, volatile memory 151 may include Random Access Memory (RAM) including dynamic and/or static RAM, on-chip or off-chip cache memory, and/or the like. Non- volatile memory 152, which may be embedded and/or removable, may include, for example, read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disks, floppy disk drives, magnetic tape, etc.), optical disc drives and/or media, non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), and/or the like. Like volatile memory 151 non-volatile memory 152 may include a cache area for temporary storage of data. The memories may be non- transitory and may store one or more software programs, instructions, pieces of information, data, and/ or the like which may be used by the mobile terminal for performing functions of the mobile terminal. For example, the memories may comprise an identifier, such as an international mobile equipment identification (IMEI) code, capable of uniquely identifying the mobile terminal. The electronic device 100 may use at least one memory to store one or more computer program code. In accordance with computer program code, processor 110 may perform embodiments of the present invention, or cause electronic device 100 to perform embodiments of the invention.

It should be understood that the electronic device 100 is merely illustrative of one type of electronic device that would benefit from embodiments of the invention and, therefore, should not be taken to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention. Indeed, other types of electronic devices, such as a portable digital assistant, PDA, a pager, a mobile television, a gaming device, a camera, a video recorder, an audio player, a video player, a radio, a mobile telephone, a traditional computer, a portable computer device, a global positioning system, GPS, device, a GPS navigation device, a GPS system, a mobile computer, a browsing device, an electronic book reader, a combination thereof, and/ or the like, may be used. While several embodiments of the invention may be performed or used by the electronic device 100, embodiments may also be employed by a server, a service, a combination thereof, and/or the like.

FIGURE 2 illustrates an arrangement where some embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

Connection 215 allows apparatus 210 to transmit information to base station 220. Example of apparatus 210 may be an electronic device, such as electronic device 100 of FIGURE 1. Connection 215 may also allow apparatus 210 to receive information from base station 220. Connection 215 may be a connection according to wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA, global system for mobile communications, GSM, long term evolution, LTE, or other wireless technology. In some embodiments connection 215 may be a wire-line connection instead of a wireless connection. Connection 215 may comprise an uplink connection for conveying information from apparatus 210 to base station 220.

Connection 215 may comprise a downlink connection for conveying information from base station 220 to apparatus 210.

In an example embodiment, base station 220 comprises equipment configured to support connection 21 . For example in embodiments where connection 215 is in accordance with LTE technology, base station 220 comprises at least equipment arranged to support LTE connections. It should be understood that in some embodiments, other terms such as access point 220 might be considered more accurate to describe base station 220 and such embodiments are not to be excluded from the scope of the present invention by this terminological choice.

Connection 215 may comprise resources reserved for the connection. Radio resources of a wireless connection 215 may comprise at least one of frequency, time, code or space resources, for example. Resources reserved for connection 215 may comprise a certain time-slice on a certain spreading code, which is used to spread a signal over a certain frequency band. In embodiments where connection 215 is wire-line, resources of the connection may comprise timeslots allocated to connection 215.

Connection 215 may comprise encryption, authentication and charging aspects handled by the system in which base station 220 is comprised.

FIGURE 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for periodically performing paging with diversity receivers in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. Example method 500 may be performed by or in an apparatus, such as electronic device 100 of FIGURE 1.

At block 301, the apparatus receives signals intended for a first SIM, for example SIM 141 of FIGURE 1 , using a first receiver, for example receiver 122 of FIGURE 1. At block 302, the apparatus monitors at least one paging channel for receiving signals intended for a second SIM, for example SIM 142 of FIGURE 1, using a second receiver, for example receiver 125 of FIGURE 1.

In an example embodiment at block 303, a timer is used to set a period for the second receiver to monitor the at least one paging channel for receiving signals intended for the second SIM. At block 304, the apparatus checks whether paging is detected for the second SIM during the set period. If paging is detected during the period, the second receiver informs the apparatus of an incoming call intended for the second SIM at block 305. If paging is not detected during the period, the second receiver starts to receive signals intended for the first SIM at block 306. The example method 300 ends at block 307.

FIGURE 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for performing paging and diversity combining with diversity receivers in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. Example method 400 may be performed by or in an apparatus, such as electronic device 100 of FIGURE 1.

At block 401 , the apparatus receives signals intended for a first SIM, for example SIM 141 of FIGURE 1 , using a first receiver, for example, receiver 122 of FIGURE 1. At block 402, the apparatus monitors at least one paging channel for receiving signals intended for a second SIM, for example SIM 142 of FIGURE 1, using a second receiver, for example receiver 125 of FIGURE 1. At block 403, the apparatus receives signals intended for the first SIM using the second receiver after the second receiver finishes monitoring paging channel for receiving signals intended for the second SIM. The second receiver may periodically monitor paging channel as illustrated in an example method in FIGURE 3. The second receiver may use other types of method to decide when to start and finish monitoring paging channel, such as monitoring paging channel when it is needed.

At block 404, the apparatus combines the signals intended for the first SIM that are received at the second receiver and the signals intended for the same first SIM that are received at the first receiver. The received signals intended for the first SIM received at the first receiver and the second receiver may experience a different interference environment. For example, if the received signal at the first receiver is experiencing a deep fade, it is likely that the received signal at the second receiver has a sufficient signal level. Collectively the combined signals may provide a reliable quality of service. In an example embodiment, the combining is performed by or in a processor, for example processor 1 10 of FIGURE 1.

In an example embodiment, a maximum ratio combining (MRC) method is used to combine the received signals at the first receiver and the second receiver. In another example embodiment, a minimum mean square error (MMSE) method is used to combine the received signals at the first receiver and the second receiver. It should be understood that the example combining methods are merely illustrative of two types of methods that would benefit from embodiments of the invention and, therefore, should not be taken to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention. Indeed, other types of method to perform signal combining, such as zero forcing (ZF) method, may also be used.

The example method 400 ends at block 405.

Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein may be enabling paging intended for the second SIM while simultaneously having an active call or data session on the first SIM. Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. The software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on an electronic device or a personal key. If desired, part of the software, application logic and/or hardware may reside on an electronic device and part of the software, application logic and/ or hardware may reside on a personal key. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. A computer-readable medium may comprise a computer-readable storage medium, for example a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, that may be any media or means that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional or may be combined.

Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of the invention comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments of the invention, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS

1. A method, comprising:

receiving signals intended for a first subscriber identity module using a first receiver; and monitoring at least one paging channel for receiving signals intended for a second subscriber identity module using a second receiver, wherein the first subscriber identity module and the second subscriber identity module reside in an apparatus.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving signals intended for the first subscriber identity module using the second receiver after monitoring paging channel for receiving signals intended for the second subscriber identity module.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first receiver and the second receiver are diversity receivers.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

combining the received signals intended for the first subscriber identity module at the second receiver and the received signals intended for the first subscriber identity module at the first receiver.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the monitoring of at least one paging channel is performed periodically.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a timer is used for the second receiver to set the period to monitor paging channel for receiving signals intended for the second subscriber identity module.

7. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code,

wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:

receive signals intended for a first subscriber identity module using a first receiver; and monitor at least one paging channel for receiving signals intended for a second subscriber identity module using a second receiver, wherein the first subscriber identity module and the second subscriber identity module reside in the apparatus.

S. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform:

receive signals intended for the first subscriber identity module using the second receiver after monitoring paging channel for receiving signals intended for the second subscriber identity module using the second receiver.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first receiver and the second receiver are diversity receivers.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to further perform:

combine the received signals intended for the first subscriber identity module at the second receiver and the received signals intended for the first subscriber identity module at the first receiver.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the monitoring of at least one paging channel is performed periodically.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein a timer is used for the second receiver to set the period to monitor paging channel for receiving signals intended for the second subscriber identity module.

13. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium bearing computer program code embodied therein for use with a computer, the computer program code comprising: code for receiving signals intended for a first subscriber identity module using a first receiver; and

code for monitoring at least one paging channel for receiving signals intended for a second subscriber identity module using a second receiver, wherein the first subscriber identity module and the second subscriber identity module reside in an apparatus.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, further comprising:

code for receiving signals intended for the first subscriber identity module using the second receiver after monitoring paging channel for receiving signals intended for the second subscriber identity module.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the first receiver and the second receiver are diversity receivers.

16. The computer program product of claim 14, further comprising:

code for combining the received signals intended for the first subscriber identity module at the second receiver and the received signals intended for the first subscriber identity module at the first receiver.

17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the monitoring of at least one paging channel is performed periodically.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein a timer is used for the second receiver to set the period to monitor paging channel for receiving signals intended for the second subscriber identity module.