Multi-SIM dynamic capabilities
Systems and methods are disclosed herein related simultaneous registration of wireless communication device having multiple Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) with two or more networks. In one embodiment, a method performed by a wireless communication device having multiple SIMs comprises registering with a first network associated with a first SIM and registering with a second network associated with a second SIM such that the wireless communication device is simultaneously registered with both the first network and the second network. The method further comprises providing, to a network node associated with the first network, capability information for the wireless communication device that indicates less than full capabilities of the wireless communication device. In this manner, the wireless communication device ensures that it will have sufficient resources to maintain simultaneous connections to both the first and second network.
1. A method performed by a wireless communication device that is simultaneously registered with a first network and a second network, in connected mode with respect to the first network, and in idle or inactive mode with respect to the second network, the method comprising:
determining that the wireless communication device is to connect to the second network;
sending, to a network node associated with the first network, a request or suggestion to release a connection of the wireless communication device with the first network;
receiving, from the network node associated with the first network, a request to release the connection of the wireless communication device with the first network;
reconnecting with the first network; and
providing, to a network node associated with the first network, capability information associated with a reconnection to the first network that is based on resources to be used for a connection with the second network.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the request or suggestion to release the connection comprises release assistance information.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the release assistance information comprises an indication that the wireless communication device intends to change its capabilities upon reconnecting to the first network.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first network is a first PLMN associated with a first SIM of the wireless communication device, and the second network is a second PLMN associated with a second SIM of the wireless communication device.
5. A wireless communication device comprising:
one or more transmitters;
one or more receivers; and
processing circuitry associated with the one or more transmitters and the one or more receivers, the processing circuitry configured to cause the wireless communication device to, when simultaneously registered with a first network and a second network, in connected mode with respect to the first network, and in idle or inactive mode with respect to the second network:
determine that the wireless communication device is to connect to the second network;
send, to a network node associated with the first network, a request or suggestion to release a connection of the wireless communication device with the first network;
receive, from the network node associated with the first network, a request to release the connection of the wireless communication device with the first network;
reconnect with the first network; and
provide, to a network node associated with the first network, capability information associated with a reconnection to the first network that is based on resources to be used for a connection with the second network.
6. The wireless communication device of claim 5 , wherein the request or suggestion to release the connection comprises release assistance information.
7. The wireless communication device of claim 6 , wherein the release assistance information comprises an indication that the wireless communication device intends to change its capabilities upon reconnecting to the first network.
8. The wireless communication device of claim 5 , wherein the first network is a first PLMN associated with a first SIM of the wireless communication device, and the second network is a second PLMN associated with a second SIM of the wireless communication device.
9. A method performed by a network node for a cellular communications system, the method comprising:
providing, to a wireless communication device, a message comprising an indication that the wireless communication device is allowed to send multiple capability profiles;
in response to providing the message, receiving, from the wireless communication device, two or more capability profiles for the wireless communication device; and
receiving, from the wireless communication device, an indication to use a particular one of the two or more capability profiles for the wireless communication device.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein receiving the two or more capability profiles comprises receiving the two or more capability profiles via a same message.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein receiving the two or more capability profiles comprises receiving the two or more capability profiles via separate messages.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein receiving the two or more capability profiles comprises:
receiving a first capability profile of the wireless communication device together with an indication that one or more additional capability profiles for the wireless communication device are available;
sending, to the wireless communication device, a request for at least one of the one or more additional capability profiles for the wireless communication device; and
receiving, from the wireless communication device in response to the request, the at least one of the one or more additional capability profiles for the wireless communication device.
13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising providing, to the wireless communication device, an indication that the wireless communication device is allowed to provide multiple capability profiles to the network.
14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
configuring the wireless communication device in accordance with the particular one of the two or more capability profiles for the wireless communication device.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the indication is an overheat indication.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the two or more capability profiles comprises a first capability profile and a second capability profile, the second capability profile being indicative of reduced capabilities as compared to the first capability profile.
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein each capability profile of the two or more capability profiles comprises information that indicates:
(a) a number of carriers supported by the wireless communication device;
(b) one or more carrier combinations supported by the wireless communication device;
(c) one or more processing capabilities of the wireless communication device;
(d) one or more features supported by the wireless communication device;
(e) a number of radio frontends that the wireless communication device has;
(f) a bandwidth supported by the wireless communication device;
(g) a buffer or memory size supported by the wireless communication device;
(h) a number of PDN connections or PDU connections supported by the wireless communication device;
(i) one or more carrier aggregation related capabilities of the wireless communication device;
(j) one or more dual connectivity related capabilities of the wireless communication device; or
any two or more of (a)-(j).
18. A network node for a cellular communications system, the network node comprising processing circuitry configured to cause the network node to:
provide, to a wireless communication device, a message comprising an indication that the wireless communication device is allowed to send multiple capability profiles;
in response to providing the message, receive, from the wireless communication device, two or more capability profiles for the wireless communication device; and
receive, from the wireless communication device, an indication to use a particular one of the two or more capability profiles for the wireless communication device.