METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TASK-LEVEL ACCESS ARBITRATION BETWEEN VIRTUAL MODEMS IN A MULTI-SIM MULTI-STANDBY COMMUNICATION DEVICE
A multiple-subscriber identity module (multi-SIM) multi-standby communication device comprises a single radio resource unit shared by a plurality of virtual modems (VMs), each uniquely associated with a single one of a plurality of SIM cards. The access to radio resources in the single radio resource unit is controlled for each VM task via a virtual modem controller (VMC). Upon receiving requests for tasks to access radio resources in the single radio resource unit, the VMC arbitrates the access based on task priority information, current activities associated with one or more of the plurality of VMs, and the radio resources available in the single radio resource unit. The access may be immediately accepted, accepted with a delay or rejected. With an immediate access, current activities may be suspended and then resumed once radio resources become available. With a delayed access, the VMC determines what time instants the access may be accepted.
1 . A method for communication, the method comprising:
in a multiple-subscriber identity module (multi-SIM) multi-standby communication device comprising a single radio resource unit that is shared by a plurality of virtual modems:
receiving one or more requests, from one or more of said plurality of virtual modems, for one or more tasks to access radio resources in said single radio resource unit; and
arbitrating said access to said radio resources in said single radio resource unit.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said arbitration is based on a priority associated with each of said one or more tasks, availability of said radio resources, and/or current activity of one or more of said plurality of virtual modems.
3 . The method according to claim 2 , comprising identifying procedural and/or radio resource conflicts for said arbitration based on said comparison.
4 . The method according to claim 3 , comprising if no procedural and/or radio resource conflicts are identified, accepting said access to said radio resources in said single radio resource unit.
5 . The method according to claim 3 , comprising if one or more procedural and/or radio resource conflicts are identified, rejecting said access to said radio resources in said single radio resource unit.
6 . The method according to claim 3 , comprising if one or more procedural and/or radio resource conflicts are identified, suspending at least a portion of said current activity of said one or more of said plurality of virtual modems to immediately accept said access to said radio resources in said single radio resource unit.
7 . The method according to claim 6 , comprising resuming said suspended portion of said current activity of said one or more of said plurality of virtual modems once radio resources become available to use in said single radio resource unit.
8 . The method according to claim 3 , comprising if one or more procedural and/or radio resource conflicts are identified, delaying said access to said radio resources in said single radio resource unit.
9 . The method according to claim 8 , comprising determining one or more time instants for said delayed access based on said priority associated with each of said one or more tasks, said availability of said radio resources, and/or said current activity of said one or more of said plurality of virtual modems.
10 . The method according to claim 9 , comprising accepting, at said determined one or more time instants, said delayed access to said radio resources in said single radio resource unit.
11 . A system for communication, the system comprising:
one or more processors and/or circuits for use in a multiple-subscriber identity module (multi-SIM) multi-standby communication device comprising a single radio resource unit that is shared by a plurality of virtual modems, said one or more processors and/or circuits being operable to:
receive one or more requests, from one or more of said plurality of virtual modems, for one or more tasks to access radio resources in said single radio resource unit; and
arbitrate said access to said radio resources in said single radio resource unit.
12 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein said arbitration is based on a priority associated with each of said one or more tasks, availability of said radio resources, and/or current activity of one or more of said plurality of virtual modems.
13 . The system according to claim 12 , wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits being operable to identify procedural and/or radio resource conflicts for said arbitration based on said comparison.
14 . The system according to claim 13 , wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits being operable to accept said access to said radio resources in said single radio resource unit if no procedural and/or radio resource conflicts are identified.
15 . The system according to claim 13 , wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits being operable to reject said access to said radio resources in said single radio resource unit if one or more procedural and/or radio resource conflicts are identified.
16 . The system according to claim 13 , wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits being operable to suspend at least a portion of said current activity of said one or more of said plurality of virtual modems to immediately accept said access to said radio resources in said single radio resource unit if one or more procedural and/or radio resource conflicts are identified.
17 . The system according to claim 16 , wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits being operable to resume said suspended portion of said current activity of said one or more of said plurality of virtual modems once radio resources become available to use in said single radio resource unit.
18 . The system according to claim 13 , wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits being operable to delay said access to said radio resources in said single radio resource unit if one or more procedural and/or radio resource conflicts are identified.
19 . The system according to claim 18 , wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits being operable to determine one or more time instants for said delayed access based on said priority associated with each of said one or more tasks, said availability of said radio resources, and/or said current activity of said one or more of said plurality of virtual modems.
20 . The system according to claim 19 , wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits being operable to accept, at said determined one or more time instants, said delayed access to said radio resources in said single radio resource unit.