CN112788602B - Method and apparatus for supporting access to services for multiple user identity modules - Google Patents

Abstract

Translated fromChinese

本公开涉及支持访问用于多个用户身份模块的服务的方法和装置。公开了支持无线设备对多个用户身份模块(SIM)和/或电子SIM(eSIM)的服务的并行访问的装置和方法。该无线设备是包括无线电路的单无线电无线设备，该无线电路一次支持经由蜂窝无线网络的单无线电接入网络的活动语音或视频连接。为了发送或接收第二SIM/eSIM的数据，当第一SIM/eSIM的活动语音或视频连接使用无线电路时，单无线电无线设备可i)建立用于不同SIM的并行链接协议数据单元(PDU)会话，ii)通过公共无线电连接将不同SIM的流量与嵌入协议标头中的SIM信息复用，以用于由网络设备路由，和/或iii)使用利用第一活动SIM的针对每个数据网络名称(DNN)的附加专用承载，通过其针对第二暂停SIM进行路由。

The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for supporting access to services for multiple subscriber identity modules. Apparatus and methods for supporting concurrent access of services of multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs) and/or electronic SIMs (eSIMs) by a wireless device are disclosed. The wireless device is a single-radio wireless device including a wireless circuit that supports an active voice or video connection via a single radio access network of a cellular wireless network at a time. To send or receive data for a second SIM/eSIM, when the active voice or video connection of a first SIM/eSIM uses the wireless circuit, the single-radio wireless device may i) establish parallel linked protocol data unit (PDU) sessions for different SIMs, ii) multiplex traffic for different SIMs over a common radio connection with SIM information embedded in a protocol header for routing by a network device, and/or iii) use an additional dedicated bearer for each data network name (DNN) utilizing the first active SIM, through which routing is performed for a second suspended SIM.

Description

Method and apparatus for supporting access to services for multiple user identity modules

Technical Field

The described embodiments relate generally to wireless communications and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus that support simultaneous access to services for multiple Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) through a single radio, multiple SIM (multi-SIM) wireless device. Access may be achieved using i) a concatenated Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session identifier associated with two different PDU sessions for two different SIMs, ii) multiplexing traffic using tunnel headers to distinguish traffic originated by each SIM, or iii) additional dedicated bearers on the active SIM routed for suspending the SIM's traffic in parallel.

Background

Next generation (e.g., fourth generation (4G) and fifth generation (5G)) cellular wireless networks employing newer radio access technologies that implement one or more third generation partnership project (3 GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE advanced (LTE-a) standards are evolving rapidly and are being deployed worldwide by network operators. Newer cellular wireless networks provide a range of packet-based services for parallel voice and data. A user of the wireless device may access services provided by a wireless network service provider (also referred to as a Mobile Network Operator (MNO)) based on a service subscription controlled by an authentication credential included in the profile, which when included in a removable Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) is also referred to as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), and which when included in an embedded UICC (eUICC) of the wireless device is also referred to as an electronic SIM (eSIM). With the removable UICC and unlocked wireless device, the user can access different services by replacing the UICC/SIM combination. With a configurable eUICC, esims can be downloaded to the eUICC to access different wireless services. A wireless device hosting multiple UICCs/SIMs and/or multiple esims on an eUICC provides multiple user identities that are used by the same wireless device to access different services, including services that may span different cellular wireless networks using different cellular Radio Access Technologies (RATs). The multiradio wireless device may include multiple transceivers for connecting to different cellular wireless networks in parallel, however, additional wireless transceiver circuitry may increase the device volume and cost. A single radio wireless device, including a single transmitter, single receiver wireless device, may include configurable wireless circuitry to connect with different cellular wireless networks at different times, but restrict or prohibit simultaneous active connections using different cellular access networks in parallel. Furthermore, when a single radio wireless device has an active voice or video connection for a first SIM, a second SIM may not be able to access data, voice mail, messaging services, or receive information for an incoming voice or video connection request. There is a need for a mechanism that allows users to access services in parallel using multiple different SIM/eSIM profiles simultaneously with minimal hardware and/or software complexity.

Disclosure of Invention

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for supporting access to services of multiple Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) through a single radio, multiple SIM (multi-SIM) wireless device. The services are associated with different Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) and/or electronic SIMs (esims) in the wireless device. The wireless device includes a first SIM/eSIM that provides access to wireless services of a first wireless service provider via a first cellular wireless network that includes a first radio access network using a first radio access technology and a first core network. The wireless device also includes a second SIM/eSIM that provides access to additional wireless services that are available to the same first wireless service provider, e.g., using a public service Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), or for a second wireless service provider via a second cellular wireless network that includes a second radio access network using a second (possibly different) radio access technology and a second core network, e.g., using a different PLMN. In some embodiments, the wireless device includes a plurality of SIM/esims that provide access to wireless services of one or more wireless service providers. The wireless device is a single radio wireless device that includes wireless circuitry that supports active voice or video connections via a single radio access network of a cellular wireless network at a time, but does not support two or more active voice or video connections via the cellular wireless network at the same time. To send or receive data (e.g., internet data, visual voice mail, or SMS), to receive an incoming voice or video connection for mobile termination of a second SIM/eSIM, or to establish a mobile-initiated outgoing voice or video connection for the second SIM/eSIM, a single radio wireless device may use one of the following mechanisms when an active voice or video connection of the first SIM/eSIM uses wireless circuitry.

In a first mechanism, the wireless device establishes parallel link Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions, one PDU session of a first SIM and a second tunnel PDU session using a second SIM representing the first SIM, wherein only one PDU session is active at a time. During an internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) registration procedure, during a non-access stratum (NAS) registration procedure with a cellular wireless core network and/or upon request to establish a parallel PDU session, the SIM of the wireless device may access subscription information for one or more other SIMs and may provide information about at least one of the one or more other SIMs. The first SIM and the second SIM may be associated with a common PLMN or different PLMNs. The accumulated data usage and/or time of the tunnel access carried via the tunnel PDU session using the second SIM on behalf of the first SIM is considered to be applicable for billing purposes of the first SIM.

In a second mechanism, the wireless device includes user identification information, such as a 5G Globally Unique Temporary Identity (GUTI) that initiates a subscription for data traffic, within a protocol header field to allow a cellular radio access network element (e.g., gNodeB) to determine from which of a plurality of SIMs the data packet originated. The cellular radio access network element separates the multiplexed traffic from the multiple SIMs and routes the traffic appropriately to one or more cellular radio core networks via different parallel tunnels.

In a third mechanism, the wireless device creates an additional dedicated bearer for each Data Network Name (DNN) using the first active SIM, through which traffic for the second suspended SIM is routed. In some implementations, the cellular wireless network initiates creation of the additional dedicated bearer in response to the first SIM informing the cellular wireless network that the first SIM is to be suspended (e.g., due to the cellular wireless circuit being detuned to another cellular wireless network associated with the second SIM). Data traffic of the first SIM may be routed over the dedicated bearer based on subscription information, such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a five-generation globally unique temporary identity (5G-GUTI), a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN), a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), or a subscription hidden identifier (SUCI) value, and a network node identifier, such as an Access Point Name (APN) or a Data Network Name (DNN) value. When the first SIM is restored, the dedicated bearer for the first SIM may be released via the second SIM.

This summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that the above features are merely examples and should not be construed as narrowing the scope or spirit of the subject matter described in this disclosure in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the embodiments.

Drawings

The embodiments and advantages thereof may best be understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and they are in no way intended to limit or exclude foreseeable modifications in form and detail that may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of this disclosure.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a multiple Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)/electronic SIM (eSIM) wireless device in communication with two wireless networks, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless device supporting multiple user identities according to some embodiments.

Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate an exemplary set of actions taken by a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device to establish an internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session tunnel for multiple SIMs associated with a public service Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), according to some embodiments.

Fig. 4A and 4B illustrate an exemplary set of actions taken by a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device to establish an IMS PDU session tunnel for multiple SIMs associated with different PLMNs, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 5A and 5B illustrate an exemplary set of actions taken by a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device to establish an internet data PDU session tunnel for multiple SIMs associated with a common serving PLMN, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary set of actions taken by a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device to establish a Visual Voicemail (VVM) PDU session tunnel for multiple SIMs associated with a public service PLMN, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 7 shows a diagram of an exemplary set of network elements for implementing PDU session tunneling, in accordance with some embodiments.

Fig. 8 shows a diagram of an exemplary set of network elements for implementing tunnels with multiplexed data traffic for multiple SIMs, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 9A and 9B illustrate diagrams of example Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) PDU headers, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 10 shows a diagram of a network architecture for data tunneling between different Session Management Functions (SMFs), according to some embodiments.

Fig. 11A and 11B illustrate an exemplary set of actions taken by a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device to establish a UE-initiated internet data PDU session tunnel for multiple SIMs associated with different SMFs, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 12A and 12B illustrate an exemplary set of actions taken by a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device to establish NW-initiated internet data PDU session tunnels for multiple SIMs associated with different SMFs, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 13A and 13B illustrate another exemplary set of actions taken by a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device to establish an internet data PDU session tunnel for multiple SIMs associated with different SMFs, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 14A and 14B illustrate an exemplary process for cumulative data usage reporting between SMFs, according to some embodiments.

Fig. 15 is a set of example components of a wireless device according to some embodiments.

Detailed Description

Representative examples are provided herein for accessing wireless services using multiple Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs) and/or electronic SIMs (esims). These examples are provided to add context to and aid in the understanding of the subject matter of the present disclosure. It should be apparent that the present disclosure may be practiced with or without some of the specific details described herein. In addition, various modifications and/or alterations may be made to the subject matter described herein, and the subject matter shown in the corresponding drawings, to achieve similar advantages and results without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

This section makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various implementations corresponding to the embodiments described herein. While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the described implementations, it should be understood that these examples are not to be construed as unduly limiting or all inclusive.

A user of the wireless device may seek to access services provided by a common cellular wireless network service provider for different cellular service account subscriptions or services provided by different cellular wireless network service providers over different cellular wireless networks. A user may obtain and use a variety of UICCs (also referred to as SIM cards), and/or install a plurality of electronic SIMs (esims) on an eUICC of a wireless device, where the SIMs/esims provide access to services of one or more service providers. The use of multiple SIMs/esims enables flexibility and convenience for wireless devices to access a wide variety of services. A user may seek to access services provided by multiple SIMs/esims without having to use a wireless device that may be simultaneously connected to multiple associated radio access networks of the cellular wireless network associated with the multiple SIMs/esims.

The wireless device includes a first SIM/eSIM that provides access to wireless services of a first wireless service provider via a first cellular wireless network that includes a first radio access network using a first radio access technology and a first core network. The wireless device also includes a second SIM/eSIM that provides access to additional wireless services that are available to the same first wireless service provider, e.g., using a public service Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), or for a second wireless service provider via a second cellular wireless network that includes a second radio access network using a second (possibly different) radio access technology and a second core network, e.g., using a different PLMN. In some embodiments, the wireless device includes a plurality of SIM/esims that provide access to wireless services of one or more wireless service providers. The wireless device is a single radio wireless device that includes wireless circuitry that supports active voice or video connections via a single radio access network of a cellular wireless network at a time, but does not support two or more active voice or video connections via the cellular wireless network at the same time. To send or receive data (e.g., internet data, visual voice mail, or SMS) or to receive a mobile terminated incoming voice or video connection for a second SIM/eSIM, a single radio wireless device can use one of the following mechanisms when an active voice or video connection for a first SIM/eSIM uses wireless circuitry. The voice or video connection as described herein may be Internet Protocol (IP) based or may be a local voice connection such as a long term evolution voice (VoLTE) connection or a new radio voice/video (VoNR) connection, which may carry only audio data or a combination of audio and video data.

In a first mechanism, the wireless device establishes parallel link Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions, one PDU session of a first SIM and a second tunnel PDU session using a second SIM representing the first SIM, wherein only one PDU session is active at a time. During an internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) registration procedure, during a non-access stratum (NAS) registration procedure with a cellular wireless core network and/or upon request to establish a parallel PDU session, the SIM of the wireless device may access subscription information for one or more other SIMs and may provide information about at least one of the one or more other SIMs. The first SIM and the second SIM may be associated with a common PLMN or different PLMNs. The accumulated data usage and/or time of the tunnel access carried via the tunnel PDU session using the second SIM on behalf of the first SIM is considered to be applicable for billing purposes of the first SIM.

In a second mechanism, the wireless device includes user identification information, such as a 5G Globally Unique Temporary Identity (GUTI) that initiates a subscription for data traffic, within a protocol header field to allow a cellular radio access network element (e.g., gNodeB) to determine from which of a plurality of SIMs the data packet originated. The cellular radio access network element separates the multiplexed traffic from the multiple SIMs and routes the traffic appropriately to one or more cellular radio core networks via different parallel tunnels.

In a third mechanism, the wireless device creates an additional dedicated bearer for each Data Network Name (DNN) using the first active SIM, through which traffic for the second suspended SIM is routed. In some implementations, the cellular wireless network initiates creation of the additional dedicated bearer in response to the first SIM informing the cellular wireless network that the first SIM is to be suspended (e.g., due to the cellular wireless circuit being detuned to another cellular wireless network associated with the second SIM). Data traffic of the first SIM may be routed over the dedicated bearer based on subscription information, such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a five-generation globally unique temporary identity (5G-GUTI), a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN), a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), or a subscription hidden identifier (SUCI) value, and a network node identifier, such as an Access Point Name (APN) or a Data Network Name (DNN) value. When the first SIM is restored, the dedicated bearer for the first SIM may be released via the second SIM.

The solution described herein provides greater power efficiency in a single-radio, multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device compared to a multi-SIM, multi-active (MSMA) wireless device that uses multiple parallel cellular radios. A user of a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device may configure preferences for using one or more SIMs/esims, e.g., specify whether the SIM is preferred for data, voice, and data, or voice only. Tunnel service capability may be configured for each SIM/eSIM of a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device. The user may enable/disable tunnel service capabilities based on whether the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device is camped on a Home PLMN (HPLMN), a home (same country code) Visited PLMN (VPLMN), or a foreign (different country code) VPLMN. The user may also select which services may use tunnel service capabilities, with representative services including incoming/outgoing IMS voice connections, incoming/outgoing SMS over IMS, internet data connections, and incoming/outgoing SMS over non-access stratum (NAS) signaling connections. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device can indicate to the wireless network the ability to support multiple SIM and linked PDU sessions for one or more services, and the wireless network can indicate to support a tunneled PDU session to one or more other wireless networks for one or more services.

Fig. 1 shows a diagram 100 of the components of a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 including one or more processors 106 and a wireless circuit 108, the wireless circuit 108 providing a Radio Frequency (RF) connection between the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 and a first cellular wireless network 110A and a second cellular wireless network 110B. In some embodiments, the wireless circuitry 108 includes one or more baseband processors and a set of RF analog front-end circuits. In some implementations, the wireless circuitry 108 and/or a portion thereof may include or be referred to as a wireless transmitter/receiver or transceiver or radio. The terms "circuit," "component," and "block of components" are used interchangeably herein to refer to one or more operating units of a wireless device that process and/or operate digital signals, analog signals, or digital data units for wireless communications in some embodiments. For example, representative circuitry may perform various functions for converting digital data units into transmitted radio frequency analog waveforms and/or for converting received analog waveforms into digital data units (including intermediate analog forms and intermediate digital forms). The wireless circuitry 108 may include components of an RF analog front-end circuit, such as a set of one or more antennas, which may be interconnected with additional supporting RF circuitry, which may include filters and other analog components that may be "configured" for transmitting and/or receiving analog signals to one of the first cellular wireless network 110A and the second cellular wireless network 110B via one or more corresponding antennas.

Notably, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can include hardware limitations that limit the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 to connect to only one of the first cellular wireless network 110A and the second cellular wireless network 110B at a time via its respective access network device 112A/112B. For example, the wireless circuitry 108 may include a single transmitter and one or more receivers for cellular wireless communications such that only one active two-way cellular radio frequency connection to the cellular access network may be used at a time. When the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 has an active connection via the access network device 112A of the first cellular wireless network 110A, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can be prevented from establishing another active connection via the access network device 112B of the second cellular wireless network 110B (or from establishing a second active connection to the first cellular wireless network 110A). In some embodiments, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register multiple subscriptions that simultaneously correspond to different SIMs/esims, and the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can use a combination of an active PDU session of a first SIM and a suspended (standby) PDU session of a second SIM, where the active PDU session and the suspended PDU session are linked together. In some implementations, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can multiplex traffic for multiple SIMs over a common radio frequency access network connection, where a Radio Access Network (RAN) device can separate (de-multiplex) traffic based on a packet protocol header indicating the original SIM. The RAN device may route traffic to different tunnels for each original SIM as appropriate. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can create an additional dedicated bearer for each Data Network Name (DNN) using the first active SIM, through which traffic for the second suspended SIM is routed.

According to various implementations, the one or more processors 106 and the wireless circuitry 108 may be configured to perform and/or control the performance of one or more functions of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102. The one or more processors 106 and wireless circuitry 108 can provide functionality for coordinating hardware/software resources in the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 to provide connectivity to the first cellular wireless network 110A and the second cellular wireless network 110B. The one or more processors 106 may include a plurality of different types of processors that may provide both wireless communication management and/or higher layer functionality, e.g., one or more of the one or more processors 106 may be configured to perform data processing, application execution, and/or other device functions in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102, or portions or components thereof (such as the one or more processors 106) can include one or more chipsets that can each include any number of microchips coupled thereto.

In some embodiments, the one or more processors 106 may be configured in a variety of different forms. For example, the one or more processors 106 may be associated with any number of microprocessors, co-processors, controllers, or various other computing or processing implementations, including integrated circuits such as, for example, application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), or any combinations thereof. In various scenarios, the multiple processors 106 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can be coupled to and/or configured to operatively communicate with each other, and these components can collectively be configured to perform mobility management functions associated with multiple user identities associated with wireless services provided via multiple wireless networks. In some implementations, the one or more processors 106 may be configured to execute instructions that may be stored in memory or otherwise accessible to the one or more processors 106 in some other device memory. Thus, whether configured as hardware or a combination of hardware and software, or whether combined with hardware or a combination of hardware and software, the one or more processors 106 may be capable of performing operations in accordance with the various implementations described herein when configured accordingly. In various implementations, the memory in the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can include multiple memory devices that can be associated with any common volatile or non-volatile memory type. In some cases, the memory may be associated with a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that may store various computer program instructions that may be executed by the one or more processors 106 during normal program execution. In this regard, the memory may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the wireless device to perform various functions in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. In some implementations, the memory can be in communication with one or more processors 106 and one or more system buses for communicating information between different device components of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102, and/or otherwise coupled to the one or more processors 106 and the one or more system buses.

The multi-SIM wireless device 102 shown in fig. 1 includes a removable UICC 104 and an embedded UICC (eUICC) 114. The UICC 104 may include at least one Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) that may be embodied as a software/firmware program installed on the UICC 104, while the eUICC 114 may include at least one electronic SIM (eSIM) that may also be embodied as a software/firmware program installed on the UICC 104. The removable UICC 104 can provide the user of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 with the ability to replace the UICC to change services. The hardware complexity and/or size of the wireless device may limit the ability to include multiple UICC card slots, thus additional arrangements of the wireless device to include multiple SIMs on a single UICC and/or electronic SIMs (esims) on an embedded UICC, or a combination thereof, are further illustrated herein in fig. 2.

The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register multiple wireless networks simultaneously, e.g., a first cellular wireless network 110A and a second cellular wireless network 110B. The wireless circuitry 108 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can be configured to register with the first cellular wireless network 110A and/or establish a connection with the first cellular wireless network 110A via the access network device 112A interfacing with the core network 114A. The wireless circuitry 108 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also be configured to register with the second cellular wireless network 110B and/or establish a connection with the second cellular wireless network 110B via the access network device 112B interfacing with the core network 114B. The radio circuitry 108 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can support transmission and reception of only one of the first wireless network 110A and the second wireless network 110B at a time via its respective access network 112A/B. Since the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register with two different wireless networks simultaneously via two different subscriptions, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 may appear to be two different devices (each associated with a different number, user, and/or subscription). A multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 that can connect to only one wireless network at a time, but can monitor and/or receive communications from multiple wireless networks with which it is registered, can be referred to as a multi-SIM multi-standby (MSMS) wireless device. A multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device that can connect to multiple wireless networks simultaneously through its respective radio access network using different subscriber identities may be referred to as a "multi-SIM multi-active" (MSMA) wireless device. While the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can connect via only one radio access network of one cellular wireless network at a time, some wireless devices can also provide connections (not shown) that are made via both cellular wireless networks and via non-cellular wireless networks.

It should be understood that not all of the components, device elements, and hardware shown in fig. 1 and described with respect to multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 of fig. 1 may be necessarily minor to the present disclosure, and thus some of these items may be omitted, combined, or otherwise modified within reasonable scope. Additionally, in some implementations, the subject matter associated with the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can be configured to include additional or alternative components, device elements, or hardware in addition to those shown in the illustration of fig. 1.

Fig. 2 shows a diagram of an exemplary multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device that supports multiple user identities with a removable UICC and/or an embedded UICC (eUICC) having SIMs and/or esims implemented thereon. As shown in diagram 200, a multi-SIM wireless device 220 includes a plurality of UICCs 204 that can be inserted and removed individually or together and that communicate with one or more processors 206 connected to a wireless circuit 208, the wireless circuit 208 providing wireless communication with one or more wireless networks 210. As the physical size and design of the multi-SIM wireless device 220 can limit the number of UICCs 204 that can be supported, alternatively, as shown in diagram 240, the multi-eSIM wireless device 222 can include an embedded UICC (eUICC) 224 that is coupled to the one or more processors 206 and to the one or more wireless networks 210 via the wireless circuitry 208. The eUICC 224 can be built into the multi-eSIM wireless device 222 and can be non-removable from the multi-eSIM wireless device 222, e.g., permanently attached to a circuit board in the multi-eSIM wireless device 222. The eUICC 224 can be programmed such that one or more electronic SIMs (esims) can be implemented on the eUICC 224. Each eSIM can be associated with a different user identity and/or provide a different service or subscription for a user of the multi-eSIM wireless device 222. Illustration 250 shows an example multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 226 that comprises a removable UICC 204 and an eUICC 224, on which removable UICC 204 one or more SIMs can be installed, on which eUICC 224 one or more esims can be installed. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 226 can represent another form of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 of fig. 1. The combination of SIMs on the UICC 204 and/or esims on the eUICC 224 can provide connectivity to one or more wireless networks 210 using the wireless circuitry 208 under the control of the one or more processors 206 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 226. Illustration 260 shows another multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 228 that comprises a plurality of UICCs 204 and euiccs 224 on which one or more SIMs can be installed and one or more esims can be installed on the one eUICC 224. The combination of SIMs on the UICC 204 and/or esims on the eUICC 224 can provide connectivity to one or more wireless networks 210 using the wireless circuitry 208 under the control of the one or more processors 206 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 228.

In general, a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 that supports multiple user identities can include (i) at least one UICC 204 that supports multiple SIMs, (ii) an eUICC 224 that supports multiple esims, or (iii) a combination of UICC 204 and eUICC 224. Each UICC 204 may support one or more SIMs, and each eUICC 224 may support one or more esims. A multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 that supports multiple user identities (e.g., 102, 220, 222, 226, 228) can include a combination of SIMs and/or esims to support communication with one or more wireless networks 210.

Fig. 3A and 3B illustrate diagrams 300, 350 of an exemplary set of actions taken by a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 to establish an internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session tunnel for a plurality of SIMs/esims associated with a public service Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can include a first SIM/eSIM indicated as SIM1 302-1 and a second SIM/eSIM indicated as SIM2 302-2. At 320, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register SIM1 302-1 with a network element of a 5G network, e.g., via a Radio Access Network (RAN) 306 to an access and mobility management function (AMF) 308 and a Session Management Function (SMF) 310. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 registers IMS services with IMS 312 network elements. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 provides information of a second SIM, e.g., SIM2 302-2, when registering a first SIM, e.g., SIM1 302-1. The information of the second SIM may include one or more identifiers of the second SIM, such as IMSI, 5G-GUTI, MSISDN, SUPI, and/or SUCI values. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide Mobile Network Operator (MNO) information for the second SIM when registering the first SIM. in some implementations, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also indicate device support for multi-SIM tunnel capabilities, and can obtain information about network support for multi-SIM tunnel capabilities during registration. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 requests multi-SIM tunnel capabilities for one or more particular services during registration, and the network in which the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 is registered may indicate services that are granted the multi-SIM tunnel capabilities. At 322, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register SIM2 302-2 with a network element of the 5G network. In some embodiments of fig. 3A and 3B, SIM1 302-1 and SIM2302-2 may each be associated with the same MNO, and thus registration may be with the same network element of the common core network. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can indicate support for multi-SIM tunnel capabilities and obtain information regarding network support for multi-SIM tunnel capabilities when registering the SIM 2302-2. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide identifiers for SIM1 302-1 and SIM1 MNO information. At 324, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish an IMS PDU session for SIM1 using SIM1, identifying "IMS" as the Data Network Name (DNN) of the service for the IMS PDU session. The SIM1 IMS PDU session may be assigned a digital integer identifier, e.g., "X". At 326, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish a separate IMS PDU session for SIM2 using SIM2, identifying "IMS" as the DNN for the services of the IMS PDU session. The SIM2 IMS PDU session may be assigned a digital integer identifier, e.g., "X". At 328, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish a second IMS PDU session for SIM1, however, the second IMS PDU session can be a tunnel PDU session for SIM1 using SIM2, identifying "IMS" as the DNN for the service and assigning a different digital integer identifier, e.g., "Y". the tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2 may also be assigned a unique link PDU session Identifier (ID), for example, by combining the unique SIM1 identifier with a previous SIM1 IMS PDU session ID ("X"). The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can provide a unique concatenated PDU session ID when sending a request to establish a tunneled PDU session to the cellular wireless network, and the cellular wireless network can include the unique concatenated PDU session ID when providing a response accepting the establishment of the tunneled PDU session. In some embodiments, the lack of a concatenated PDU session ID in the response from the cellular wireless network may indicate that the cellular wireless network is unable to concatenate the active PDU session and the standby PDU session together, and thus the multi-SIM tunneling capability using the concatenated PDU session feature may not be supported by the cellular wireless network. At 330, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can request to suspend the SIM1 IMS tunnel PDU session. As a result of the actions at 324, 326, 328 and 330, both SIM1 and SIM2 have active IMS PDU sessions using their respective SIMs, and SIM1 additionally has a (standby) IMS tunnel PDU session suspended via SIM 2. Although not shown in fig. 3A, a parallel IMS tunnel PDU session for SIM2 using SIM1 may also be established and suspended. Thus, the SIMs of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can have multiple IMS PDU sessions established using different SIMs/esims of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102, where only one of the multiple PDU sessions will be active at a time. At 332, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 registers with two SIMs and is able to initiate or receive a voice or video connection with either SIM. At 352, the IMS network element 312 initiates a voice or video connection of SIM2 by sending a page for VoLTE or VoNR call to SIM2 302-2 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102. At 354, SIM2 302-2 sends a message to SIM1 302-1 indicating a request to conduct an incoming VoLTE or VoNR call using Radio Frequency (RF) resources. Since the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, SIM1 cannot use an IMS PDU session via SIM1 when setting up a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2, but must use an IMS tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM 2. At 356, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device sends a request to suspend a SIM1 PDU session identified by session ID "X". The request may also include a link PDU session ID based on a combination of the SIM2 identifier and an IMS tunnel PDU session ID ("Y") for SIM1 via SIM 2. The request at 356 pauses the SIM1 non-tunneled IMS PDU session and indicates the concatenated PDU session ID for the SIM1 tunneled IMS PDU session via SIM 2. The request at 356 informs the network SIM1 that IMS communications should be routed over the tunnel IMS PDU session ID via SIM 2. At 358, SIM1 302-1 sends a message to SIM2 302-2 to authorize SIM2 302-2 to use RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM 2. At 360, the SIM2VoLTE or VoNR call is active. At 362, the SIM 2-2 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to the core network to activate the previously established and suspended IMS tunnel PDU session for SIM 1. The IMS tunnel PDU session of SIM1 (via SIM 2) is identified by a SIM2 PDU session ID value "Y" and is also identified as a linked PDU session ID having a value based on the combination of the SIM1 identifier and the SIM1 IMS PDU session ID value "X". In some embodiments, the SIM1 identifier is 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM1, and the SIM2 identifier is 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM 2. At 364, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can receive a mobile terminated voice or video connection for SIM1 via an IMS tunnel PDU session established over SIM2, while a VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 is active.

Fig. 4A and 4B illustrate diagrams 400, 450 of an exemplary set of actions taken by a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 to establish an IMS PDU session tunnel for a plurality of SIMs/esims associated with different serving PLMNs. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can include a first SIM/eSIM indicated as SIM1302-1 and a second SIM/eSIM indicated as SIM2 302-2. At 420, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register the SIM1 402-1 with a network element of the first 5G network NW1, e.g., via the RAN1 406-1 to the AMF1 408-1 and the SMF1 410-1. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 also registers IMS services with an IMS network element (e.g., IMS 312). In some embodiments, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 provides information of a second SIM, such as SIM2 402-2, when registering a first SIM, such as SIM1 402-1. The information of the second SIM may include one or more identifiers of the second SIM, such as IMSI, 5G-GUTI, MSISDN, SUPI, and/or SUCI values. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide information about the second network NW2 to an MNO associated with the SIM2 402-2 when registering the SIM1 402-1. In some implementations, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also indicate device support for multi-SIM tunnel features, and information indicating the capability of the first network NW1 to support the multi-SIM tunnel features of the second network NW2 can be obtained from the first network NW1 when registering the SIM1 402-1. At 422, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register SIM2 402-2 with a network element of the second 5G network NW 2. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide multi-SIM tunnel feature capability information to the second network NW2 and obtain information about the capability of the second network to support the multi-SIM tunnel features of the first network NW1 when registering the SIM 2-2. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide identifiers for SIM1 402-1 and SIM1 MNO information. In some embodiments, during registration with the first network NW1 and/or the second network NW2, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 requests multi-SIM tunnel capabilities for one or more particular services, and the first and/or second networks NW1, NW2 with which the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 is registered may indicate services that are granted the multi-SIM tunnel capabilities. At 424, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish an IMS PDU session for SIM1 using SIM1 through the first network NW1, identifying "IMS" as the DNN for the services of the IMS PDU session. The SIM1 IMS PDU session may be assigned a digital integer identifier, e.g., "X". At 426, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish a separate IMS PDU session for SIM2 using SIM2 through the second network NW2, identifying "IMS" as the DNN for the services of the IMS PDU session. The SIM2 IMS PDU session may be assigned a digital integer identifier, e.g., "X". At 428, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish a second IMS PDU session for SIM1 over the second network NW2, wherein the second IMS PDU session is a tunnel PDU session for SIM1 using SIM2, identifying "IMS" as the DNN for the service and assigning a different digital integer identifier, e.g., "Y". The tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2 may also be assigned a unique link PDU session Identifier (ID), for example, by combining the unique SIM1 identifier with a previous SIM1 IMS PDU session ID ("X"). The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can provide a unique concatenated PDU session ID when sending a request to establish a tunnel PDU session to the second network NW2, and the second network NW2 can include the unique concatenated PDU session ID when providing a response accepting the establishment of the tunnel PDU session. In some embodiments, the lack of a concatenated PDU session ID in the response from the second network NW2 may indicate that the second network NW2 cannot concatenate the active PDU session and the standby PDU session together, and thus the multi-SIM tunnel capability using the concatenated PDU session feature may not be supported by the second network NW 2. At 430, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can request to suspend the SIM1 IMS tunnel PDU session. As a result of the actions at 424, 426, 428 and 430, both SIM1 and SIM2 have active IMS PDU sessions using their respective SIMs through their respective networks, and SIM1 additionally has a (standby) IMS tunnel PDU session suspended through the second network NW2 via SIM 2. Although not shown in fig. 4A, a parallel IMS tunnel PDU session for SIM2 through the first network NW1 using SIM1 may also be established and suspended. Thus, the SIM of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can have multiple IMS PDU sessions established over different wireless networks using different SIMs/esims of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102, where only one of the multiple PDU sessions will be active at a time. At 432, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 registers with both networks NW1 and NW2 using the respective SIMs and is able to initiate or receive a voice or video connection with either SIM. At 452, the IMS network element 312 initiates a voice or video connection of SIM2 by sending a page for VoLTE or VoNR call to SIM2 402-2 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102. At 454, SIM2 402-2 sends a message to SIM1 402-1 indicating a request to conduct an incoming VoLTE or VoNR call using Radio Frequency (RF) resources. Since the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, SIM1 cannot use an IMS PDU session via SIM1 when setting up a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2, but must use an IMS tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM 2. At 356, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device sends a request to suspend a SIM1 PDU session identified by session ID "X". The request may also include a link PDU session ID based on a combination of the SIM2 identifier and an IMS tunnel PDU session ID ("Y") for SIM1 via SIM 2. The request at 456 pauses the SIM1 non-tunneled IMS PDU session and indicates the concatenated PDU session ID for the tunneled IMS PDU session for SIM1 via SIM 2. The request at 456 informs the first network NW1 that the SIM1 IMS communication should be routed over the tunnel IMS PDU session ID via the SIM2 through the second network NW 2. At 458, SIM1 402-1 sends a message to SIM2 402-2 to authorize SIM2 402-2 to use RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 via second network NW 2. At 460, the SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call is active via NW 2. At 462, SIM 2-402-2 of multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to the core network of second network NW2 to activate the previously established and suspended IMS tunnel PDU session for SIM 1. The IMS tunnel PDU session of SIM1 (via SIM 2) is identified by a SIM2 PDU session ID value "Y" and is also identified as a linked PDU session ID having a value based on the combination of the SIM1 identifier and the SIM1 IMS PDU session ID value "X". In some embodiments, the SIM1 identifier is 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM1, and the SIM2 identifier is 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM 2. At 464, the IMS network element (IMS 312) sends an indication of the incoming (mobile terminated) voice or video connection request to the SIM1 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 to the core network element of the first network NW 1. At 466, the core network element of the first network NW1 forwards the voice or video connection request for SIM1 to the core network element of the second network NW 2. at 468, an incoming (mobile terminated) voice or video connection request for SIM1 is provided to the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 using a SIM1 IMS tunnel PDU session established by SIM2 over the second network NW 2.

Fig. 5A and 5B illustrate diagrams 500, 550 of an exemplary set of actions taken by the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 to establish an internet data PDU session tunnel for a plurality of SIMs/esims associated with a common serving PLMN. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can include a first SIM/eSIM indicated as SIM1 302-1 and a second SIM/eSIM indicated as SIM2 302-2. At 520, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register the SIM1 302-1 with a network element of a 5G network, e.g., via a Radio Access Network (RAN) 306 to an access and mobility management function (AMF) 308 and a Session Management Function (SMF) 310. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 provides information for SIM2 302-2 when registering SIM1 302-1. The information for SIM2 302-2 may include one or more identifiers for SIM 2-2, such as IMSI, 5G-GUTI, MSISDN, SUPI, and/or SUCI values. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide MNO information for SIM2 302-2 when registering SIM1 302-1. In some implementations, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also indicate device support for multi-SIM tunnel features, and can obtain information about network support for multi-SIM tunnel features during registration. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 requests multi-SIM tunnel capabilities for one or more particular services during registration, and the network in which the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 is registered may indicate services that are granted the multi-SIM tunnel capabilities. At 524, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish an Internet data PDU session for SIM1 using SIM1, identifying the "Internet" as the DNN for the service of the Internet data PDU session. The SIM1 internet data PDU session may be assigned a digital integer identifier, e.g., "a". at 526, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register SIM2 302-2 with a network element of the 5G network. In some embodiments of fig. 5A and 5B, SIM 1-1 and SIM2 302-2 may each be associated with the same MNO, and thus registration may be with the same network element of the common core network. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also indicate support for multi-SIM tunnel features and obtain information regarding network support for multi-SIM tunnel features when registering SIM 2-2. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide identifiers for SIM1 302-1 and SIM1 MNO information. At 528, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish a second Internet data PDU session for SIM1, however, the second Internet data PDU session can be a tunnel PDU session for SIM1 using SIM2, identifying the "Internet" as a DNN for the service and assigning a different digital integer identifier, e.g., "B. The tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2 may also be assigned a unique link PDU session Identifier (ID), for example, by combining the unique SIM1 identifier with the previous SIM1 internet data PDU session ID ("a"). The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can provide a unique concatenated PDU session ID when sending a request to establish a tunneled PDU session to the cellular wireless network, and the cellular wireless network can include the unique concatenated PDU session ID when providing a response accepting the establishment of the tunneled PDU session. In some embodiments, the lack of a concatenated PDU session ID in the response from the cellular wireless network may indicate that the cellular wireless network is unable to concatenate the active PDU session and the standby PDU session together, and thus the multi-SIM tunneling capability using the concatenated PDU session feature may not be supported by the cellular wireless network. At 530, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can request to suspend the SIM1 internet data tunnel PDU session. As a result of the actions at 524, 526, 528 and 530, SIM1 has an active internet data PDU session using SIM and a suspended (standby) internet data tunnel PDU session via SIM 2. Thus, the SIM of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can have multiple internet data PDU sessions established using different SIMs/esims of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102, where only one of the multiple PDU sessions will be active at a time. At 532, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 registers with both SIMs and is able to initiate or receive a voice or video connection with either SIM. At 552, the IMS network element 312 initiates a voice or video connection of SIM2 by sending a page for VoLTE or VoNR call to SIM2 302-2 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102. At 554, SIM2 302-2 sends a message to SIM1 302-1 indicating a request to conduct an incoming VoLTE or VoNR call using Radio Frequency (RF) resources. Since the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, SIM1 cannot use an internet data PDU session via SIM1 when setting up a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2, but must use an internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM 2. At 556, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to suspend the SIM1 PDU session identified by session ID "a". The request may also include a link PDU session ID based on a combination of the SIM2 identifier and an internet data tunnel PDU session ID ("B") for SIM1 via SIM 2. The request at 556 pauses the SIM1 non-tunnel internet data PDU session and indicates the concatenated PDU session ID for the SIM1 tunnel internet data PDU session via SIM 2. The request at 556 informs the network SIM1 that internet data traffic should be routed via SIM2 on the tunnel internet data PDU session ID. At 558, SIM 1-1 sends a message to SIM2 302-2 to authorize SIM2 302-2 to use the RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM 2. At 560, the SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call is active. At 562, SIM 2-2 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to the core network to activate the previously established and suspended internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM 1. The SIM1 internet data tunnel PDU session is identified (via SIM 2) by a SIM2 PDU session ID value "B" and is also identified as a linked PDU session ID having a value based on the combination of the SIM1 identifier and the SIM1 internet data PDU session ID value "a". In some embodiments, the SIM1 identifier is 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM1, and the SIM2 identifier is 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM 2. At 564, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can exchange application data with the application server 504 for the application of SIM1 via the internet data tunnel PDU session established through SIM2, while VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 is active. Data traffic for application data exchange over an internet data tunnel PDU session may be counted and billed, for example, by a User Plane Function (UPF) 502 core network element, for SIM1 (internet data service applied thereto) rather than for SIM2 (resources for transporting data traffic via tunnels).

Fig. 6 shows a diagram 600 of an exemplary set of actions taken by the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 to establish a Visual Voicemail (VVM) PDU session tunnel for a plurality of SIMs/esims associated with a public service PLMN. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can include a first SIM/eSIM indicated as SIM1 302-1 and a second SIM/eSIM indicated as SIM2 302-2. At 620, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register the SIM1 302-1 with a network element of the 5G network, e.g., via a Radio Access Network (RAN) 306 to an access and mobility management function (AMF) 308 and a Session Management Function (SMF) 310. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 provides information of a second SIM, e.g., SIM2 302-2, when registering a first SIM, e.g., SIM1 302-1. The information of the second SIM may include one or more identifiers of the second SIM, such as IMSI, 5G-GUTI, MSISDN, SUPI, and/or SUCI values. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide Mobile Network Operator (MNO) information for the second SIM when registering the first SIM. In some embodiments, device support for multi-SIM tunnel features, and information about network support for multi-SIM tunnel features may be obtained during registration. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 requests multi-SIM tunnel capabilities for one or more particular services during registration, and the network in which the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 is registered may indicate services that are granted the multi-SIM tunnel capabilities. In some implementations, the network can indicate support for multi-SIM tunneling through one or more dedicated bearers for carrying tunnel traffic for the SIM/esims of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102. At 622, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register SIM2 302-2 with a network element of the 5G network. In some embodiments of fig. 6, SIM1 302-1 and SIM2 302-2 may each be associated with the same MNO, and thus registration may be with the same network element of the common core network. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can indicate support for the multi-SIM tunnel feature and obtain information regarding network support for the multi-SIM tunnel feature when registering SIM 2-2. As described above, in some embodiments, the network may indicate support for multi-SIM tunneling through one or more dedicated bearers for carrying tunnel traffic for the SIMs/esims of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide identifiers for SIM1 302-1 and SIM1 MNO information. At 624, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish a VVM PDU session for SIM1 using SIM1, identifying "VVM" as the DNN for the service of the VVM PDU session. The SIM1 VVM PDU session may be assigned a digital integer identifier, e.g., "C". At 626, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish a separate VVM PDU session for SIM2 using SIM2, identifying "VVM" as the DNN for the service of the VVM PDU session. The SIM2 VVM PDU session may be assigned a digital integer identifier, e.g., "C". At 630, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 registers with both SIMs and is able to initiate or receive a voice or video connection with either SIM. At 632, the IMS network element 312 initiates a voice or video connection of SIM2 by sending a page for VoLTE or VoNR call to SIM2 302-2 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102. At 634, SIM2 302-2 sends a message to SIM1 302-1 indicating a request to conduct an incoming VoLTE or VoNR call using Radio Frequency (RF) resources. Since the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, SIM1 cannot use a VVM PDU session via SIM1 when a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call is established for SIM 2. At 636, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to suspend a SIM1 VVM PDU session identified by session ID "C. At 638, SIM 1-302-1 sends a message to SIM2 302-2 authorizing SIM 2-2 to use RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR initiated voice or video connection to SIM 2. At 634, SIM2 302-2 sends a message to SIM1 302-1 indicating a request to conduct an incoming VoLTE or VoNR call using Radio Frequency (RF) resources. Since the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, SIM1 cannot use a VVM PDU session via SIM1 when a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call is established for SIM 2. At 636, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to suspend a SIM1 VVM PDU session identified by session ID "C. At 638, SIM 1-302-1 sends a message to SIM2 302-2 to authorize SIM 2-2 to use RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM 2. At 640, the SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call is active. At 642, the cellular wireless network (associated with both SIM1 302-1 and SIM2 302-2) may establish a dedicated bearer associated with "vmm" DNN to carry VVM traffic for SIM1 via SIM2 while SIM2 is in an active VoLTE or VoNR call. The cellular wireless network may establish the dedicated bearer based on knowledge that the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 supports the multi-SIM tunnel feature, that SIM2 will be used for an active VoLTE or VoNR call, and that SIM1 VVM PDU session is suspended. Alternatively, after 640, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can send a request to the cellular wireless network to establish a dedicated bearer for SIM1 via SIM2, and the cellular wireless network can accept the request, and the establishment of the VVM PDU session tunnel can continue at 642, as previously described. Quality of service (QoS) rules applied to traffic routing on dedicated bearers may be based on the QoS rules for SIM1 for VVM PDU sessions and additionally based on SIM1 identifier values (such as 5G-GUTI, SUPI or SUCI values). QoS rules applicable to SIM1 traffic may be reused and, in addition, it may be implemented that only traffic originating from SIM1 may be exchanged via dedicated bearers, even if the bearers are established via SIM 2. At 644, after the dedicated bearer is established, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can receive the incoming VVM information and also request the VVM information via the dedicated bearer.

Fig. 7 shows a diagram 700 of an exemplary set of network elements of a 5G network for implementing PDU session tunneling for a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102. Network elements that may be modified to support multi-SIM tunnel features and data tunnels as described herein may include those indicated by dashed outlines. Representative affected network elements include access network elements such as the next generation radio access network (NG-RAN) 306, and access points 722 for non-cellular wireless networks. Furthermore, the core network elements that may need to be modified to support the multi-SIM tunnel features and data tunnels described herein include an access and mobility management function (AMF) 308, a Session Management Function (SMF) 702, a User Plane Function (UPF) 706-1, a Policy Control Function (PCF) 712, a Unified Data Management (UDM) 710, an authentication server function (716), and an N3 (user plane interface) networking function (N3-IWF) 720.

Fig. 8 shows an illustration 800 of an exemplary set of network elements for implementing tunnels with multiplexed data traffic for multiple SIM/esims of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102. During registration of one or more SIMs/esims, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can indicate multi-SIM/eSIM capabilities to the network element and provide information about the SIMs/esims of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102. Representative information may include a SIM/eSIM identifier. When the radio access network of the cellular wireless network for which the multi-SIM/eSIM is registered supports a data tunnel for a first SIM (e.g., SIM 1) using a second SIM (e.g., SIM 2), when SIM2 is also to be used in parallel for another active connection (e.g., a voice or video connection via SIM 2), a data connection may be established using SIM2, where the active connection via SIM1 is not allowed to be in parallel with the active SIM2 connection. The cellular wireless network may assign a new Data Radio Bearer (DRB) to SIM2 for data tunneling to SIM 1. Traffic on the connection between the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 and the access network, e.g., to NG-RAN 306, may be multiplexed and include a data radio bearer for SIM2 traffic and a separate data radio bearer for SIM1 traffic. The access network may separate the multiplexed data traffic based on the identifier of the corresponding SIM included in the protocol header of the data packet or based on a separate Logical Channel Identifier (LCID) assigned to each bearer. The access network may have a separate N3 tunnel for the UPF 706 of each SIM, e.g., a first N3 tunnel for SIM1 and a second N3 tunnel for SIM2, and data counting and billing of data traffic for each SIM may be applied to the separate subscriptions of the respective SIM even though the data traffic is multiplexed over a common radio access connection. For an incoming mobile terminated voice or video connection request for SIM1, the cellular wireless network may attempt to contact the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 by sending a page directly (through its default radio access network) to SIM1, and when no response from the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 occurs (e.g., because the radio of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 is being used for a voice or video connection of SIM 2), the wireless access network may route Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling for the voice or video connection request for SIM1 via the data tunnel connection established for SIM1 traffic through SIM 2. The traffic of each SIM can be appropriately counted and charged to the corresponding SIM even when multiplexed.

In some embodiments, when requesting radio bearer traffic to tunnel, which may include signaling or data traffic, a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device may use non-access stratum (NAS) radio bearer PDUs having the same format AS Access Stratum (AS) PDUs. In some embodiments, the cellular wireless network may allocate a data radio bearer for each additional SIM that may transport tunnel traffic. If Radio Link Failure (RLF) occurs, the SIM with the affected tunnel traffic may be notified to trigger the applicable recovery procedure. In some embodiments, for the transport of NAS signaling, IMS traffic, internet data, and/or other IP-based traffic, a SIM with an active connection may provide other SIMs with their corresponding signaling and/or tunnel bearers through which data traffic may be encapsulated and carried.

Fig. 9A shows a diagram 900 of an exemplary PDCP PDU header including tunnel information. In some embodiments, a bit, e.g., a second bit labeled "TH" in octet 1, may be reserved to indicate the presence of tunnel header information in the PDCP PDU. In some embodiments, the tunnel header information may include a SIM identifier of the SIM to which the data traffic applies, e.g., 80-bit long 5G-GUTI contained in octets 4 to 13 of the PDCP PDU, or alternatively a unique identifier, e.g., 48-bit long 5G service temporary mobile subscriber identity (S-TMSI), which is a shortened version of 5G-GUTI, which may be contained in octets 4 to 9 of the PDCP PDU, as shown in diagram 950 in fig. 9B. A radio access network element such as gNodeB or equivalent may maintain a table that maps between SIM identifier values, e.g., 5G-GUTI values, and corresponding N3 GTP-U tunnels. GNodeB can separate multiplexed uplink data packets received from the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 for routing onto its corresponding N3 GTP-U tunnel. gNode B can also multiplex data traffic received over multiple N3 GTP-U tunnels together to combine them into a single Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection to the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102.

In some embodiments, a separate Logical Channel Identifier (LCID) may be assigned for the tunnel data radio bearer carrying the tunnel traffic, and an access network element, e.g., gNodeB, may route traffic for different SIMs to the applicable N3 GTP-U tunnel based on the LCID mapping.

In some embodiments, NAS level security and DRB integrity protection at enablement may be performed by the respective SIM that originated the traffic, while AS level security may be provided by the SIM that carries the tunnel traffic. In some embodiments, NAS Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB) messages for a tunnel SIM may be accepted for SIM transport only after the tunnel Data Radio Bearer (DRB) has been established for the tunnel SIM by the transport SIM.

Fig. 10 shows a diagram 1000 of a network architecture for data tunneling between different Session Management Functions (SMFs) 702. A first SIM (SIM 1) 302-1 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 is associated with a first network (H1) and a second SIM (SIM 2) 302-2 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 is associated with a second network (H2). In some embodiments, H1 and H2 belong to the same PLMN, while in other embodiments, H1 and H2 belong to different PLMNs. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 connects to RANs 306-1, 306-2 of respective networks H1, H2 via a Uu interface. The RANs 306-1, 306-2 are connected to the AMFs 308-1, 308-2 of the respective networks H1, H2 via N2 interfaces. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 is also connected to AMFs 308-1, 308-2 via an N1 interface. AMFs 308-1, 308-2 are also connected to PCFs 712-1, 712-2 via an N15 interface and to SMFs 702-1, 702-2 via an N11 interface. The SMFs 702-1, 702-2 are connected to the respective UPFs 706-1, 706-2 via N4 interfaces, where the UPFs 706-1, 706-2 provide N6 interface connections to the Data Networks (DNs) 708-1, 708-2. The SMFs 702-1, 702-2 are interconnected to each other via an N16 interface and are also connected to secure edge protection agents (SEPP) 1002-1, 1002-2 interconnected via an N32 interface. Data communicated via inter-SMF data tunnel PDU sessions between different SMFs follows the indicated dashed path. For an inter-PLMN scenario, where the H1 and H2 networks are in different PLMNs, each PLMN may implement proxy functionality to establish a secure interconnection with each other and hide its corresponding network topology on the inter-PLMN interface.

Fig. 11A and 11B illustrate diagrams 1100, 1150 of an exemplary set of actions taken by a multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 to establish a UE-initiated (mobile originated (MO)) internet data PDU session tunnel for multiple SIM/esims associated with different serving SMFs 410-1, 410-2, which may be located in the same PLMN (intra-PLMN, inter-SMF data tunnel) or in different PLMNs (inter-PLMN, inter-SMF data tunnel). The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can include a first SIM/eSIM indicated as SIM1 302-1 and a second SIM/eSIM indicated as SIM2 302-2. At 1120, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register the SIM1 402-1 with a network element of the first 5G network NW1, e.g., via the RAN1 406-1 to the AMF1 408-1 and the SMF1 410-1. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 provides information of a second SIM, such as SIM2 402-2, when registering a first SIM, such as SIM1 402-1. The information of the second SIM may include one or more identifiers of the second SIM, such as IMSI, 5G-GUTI, MSISDN, SUPI, and/or SUCI values. the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide information about the second network NW2 to an MNO associated with the SIM2 402-2 when registering the SIM1 402-1. In some implementations, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also indicate device support for multi-SIM tunnel features, and information indicating the capability of the first network NW1 to support the multi-SIM tunnel features of the second network NW2 can be obtained from the first network NW1 when registering the SIM1 402-1. At 1124, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish an Internet data PDU session for SIM1 using SIM1 through the first network NW1, identifying the "Internet" as the DNN for the service of the Internet data PDU session. The SIM1 internet data PDU session may be assigned a digital integer identifier, e.g., "a". At 1126, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register SIM2402-2 with a network element of the second 5G network NW 2. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide multi-SIM tunnel feature capability information to the second network NW2 and obtain information about the capability of the second network to support the multi-SIM tunnel features of the first network NW1 when registering the SIM 2402-2. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide identifiers for SIM1 402-1 and SIM1 MNO information. In some embodiments, during registration with the first network NW1 and/or the second network NW2, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 requests multi-SIM tunnel capabilities for one or more particular services, and the first and/or second networks NW1, NW2 with which the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 is registered may indicate services that are granted the multi-SIM tunnel capabilities. At 1127, the secure edge protection agents (SEPPs) of the respective first and second networks NW1, NW2 establish an N16 interface between SMF 1-1 of NW1 and SMF2 410-2 of NW2 using SEPP procedures. The SEPP may set security policies for the inter-SMF (intra-PLMN or inter-PLMN) control plane interface via the N32 interface. At 1128, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish a second Internet data PDU session for SIM1 through the second network NW2, wherein the second Internet data PDU session is a tunnel PDU session for SIM1 using SIM2, identifying the "Internet" as a DNN for the service and assigning a different digital integer identifier, e.g., "B". The tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2 may also be assigned a unique link PDU session Identifier (ID), for example, by combining the unique SIM1 identifier with the previous SIM1 internet data PDU session ID ("a"). The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can provide a unique concatenated PDU session ID when sending a request to establish a tunnel PDU session to the second network NW2, and the second network NW2 can include the unique concatenated PDU session ID when providing a response accepting the establishment of the tunnel PDU session. In some embodiments, the lack of a linked PDU session ID in the response from the second network NW2 may indicate that the second network NW2 cannot link the active PDU session and the standby (tunnel) PDU session together, so the multi-SIM tunnel capability using the linked PDU session feature may not be supported by the second network NW 2. At 1130, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can request to suspend the SIM1 internet data tunnel PDU session. As a result of the actions at 1124, 1126, 1127 and 1128, SIM1 has an active internet data PDU session using SIM1 through the first network NW1 and a suspended (standby) internet data tunnel PDU session through the second network NW2 via SIM 2. Thus, the SIM of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can have multiple internet data PDU sessions established over different wireless networks using different SIMs/esims of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102, where only one of the multiple PDU sessions will be active at a time. At 1132, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 registers with both networks NW1 and NW2 using the respective SIMs and is able to initiate or receive a voice or video connection with either SIM. At 1152, the IMS network element 312 initiates a voice or video connection of SIM2 by sending a page for VoLTE or VoNR call to SIM2 402-2 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102. At 1154, SIM2 402-2 sends a message to SIM1 402-1 indicating a request to conduct an incoming VoLTE or VoNR call using Radio Frequency (RF) resources. Since the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, SIM1 cannot use an internet data PDU session via SIM1 when setting up a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2, but must use an internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM 2. At 1156, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device sends a request to suspend the SIM1 PDU session identified by session ID "a". The request may also include a link PDU session ID based on a combination of the SIM2 identifier and an internet data tunnel PDU session ID ("B") for SIM1 via SIM 2. The request at 1156 pauses the SIM1 non-tunnel internet data PDU session and indicates a concatenated PDU session ID for the SIM1 tunnel internet data PDU session via SIM 2. The request at 1156 informs the first network NW1 that the SIM1 data communication should be routed through the second network NW2 over the tunnel internet data PDU session via the SIM 2. At 1158, SIM1 402-1 sends a message to SIM2 402-2 to authorize SIM2 402-2 to use RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 via second network NW 2. At 1160, the SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call is active via NW 2. At 1162, SIM 2-402-2 of multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to the core network of second network NW2 to activate a previously established and suspended internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM 1. The SIM1 internet data tunnel PDU session is identified (via SIM 2) by a SIM2 PDU session ID value "B" and is also identified as a linked PDU session ID having a value based on the combination of the SIM1 identifier and the SIM1 internet data PDU session ID value "a". in some embodiments, the SIM1 identifier is 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM1, and the SIM2 identifier is 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM 2. At 1164, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can exchange application data with the application server 504 for the application of SIM1 via the internet data tunnel PDU session established through SIM2, while VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 is active. Data traffic for application data exchange over an internet data tunnel PDU session may be counted, for example, by a User Plane Function (UPF) 706-2 core network element (not shown), and the cumulative data usage report of the internet data tunnel PDU session may be forwarded to the appropriate network element of NW1 for charging/billing for SIM1 (to which the internet data service is applied) rather than for SIM2 (resources are used to tunnel data traffic). At 1166, SMF2 410-2 provides an accumulated data usage report regarding data bytes (and/or accumulated time) consumed by the tunnel internet data PDU session to SMF1 410-1 via the N16 interface. The cumulative data usage report may be communicated between SMFs using modified SEPP protocol messages. At 1168, SMF1 410-1 forwards the cumulative data usage report (or information extracted therefrom regarding the consumed data bytes and/or the cumulative time) to PCF 712-1 of NW1 for counting/billing purposes. PCF 712-1 of NW1 may consider the cumulative data usage of the tunnel internet data PDU session via to SIM 1.

Fig. 12A and 12B illustrate diagrams 1200, 1250 of an exemplary set of actions taken by the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 to establish NW-initiated (mobile terminated (MT)) internet data PDU session tunnels for multiple SIM/esims associated with different serving SMFs 410-1, 410-2, which may be located in the same PLMN (intra-PLMN, inter-SMF data tunnel) or in different PLMNs (inter-PLMN, inter-SMF data tunnel). The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can include a first SIM/eSIM indicated as SIM1 302-1 and a second SIM/eSIM indicated as SIM2 302-2. At 1220, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register the SIM1 402-1 with a network element of the first 5G network NW1, e.g., via the RAN1 406-1 to the AMF1408-1 and the SMF1 410-1. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 provides information of a second SIM, such as SIM2402-2, when registering a first SIM, such as SIM1 402-1. The information of the second SIM may include one or more identifiers of the second SIM, such as IMSI, 5G-GUTI, MSISDN, SUPI, and/or SUCI values. the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide information about the second network NW2 to an MNO associated with the SIM2 402-2 when registering the SIM1 402-1. In some implementations, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also indicate device support for multi-SIM tunnel features, and information indicating the capability of the first network NW1 to support the multi-SIM tunnel features of the second network NW2 can be obtained from the first network NW1 when registering the SIM1 402-1. At 1224, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish an Internet data PDU session for SIM1 using SIM1 through the first network NW1, identifying the "Internet" as the DNN for the service of the Internet data PDU session. The SIM1 internet data PDU session may be assigned a digital integer identifier, e.g., "a". At 1226, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register the SIM2 402-2 with a network element of the second 5G network NW 2. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide multi-SIM tunnel feature capability information to the second network NW2 and obtain information about the capability of the second network to support the multi-SIM tunnel features of the first network NW1 when registering the SIM 2-2. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide identifiers for SIM1 402-1 and SIM1 MNO information. in some embodiments, during registration with the first network NW1 and/or the second network NW2, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 requests multi-SIM tunnel capabilities for one or more particular services, and the first and/or second networks NW1, NW2 with which the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 is registered may indicate services that are granted the multi-SIM tunnel capabilities. At 1227, the secure edge protection agents (SEPPs) of the respective first and second networks NW1, NW2 establish an N16 interface between the SMF 1-1 of NW1 and the SMF2 410-2 of NW2 using SEPP procedures. the SEPP may set security policies for the inter-SMF (intra-PLMN or inter-PLMN) control plane interface via the N32 interface. At 1228, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish a second Internet data PDU session for SIM1 over the second network NW2, wherein the second Internet data PDU session is a tunnel PDU session for SIM1 using SIM2, identifying "Internet" as a DNN for the service and assigning a different digital integer identifier, e.g., "B". The tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2 may also be assigned a unique link PDU session Identifier (ID), for example, by combining the unique SIM1 identifier with the previous SIM1 internet data PDU session ID ("a"). The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can provide a unique concatenated PDU session ID when sending a request to establish a tunnel PDU session to the second network NW2, and the second network NW2 can include the unique concatenated PDU session ID when providing a response accepting the establishment of the tunnel PDU session. In some embodiments, the lack of a linked PDU session ID in the response from the second network NW2 may indicate that the second network NW2 cannot link the active PDU session and the standby (tunnel) PDU session together, so the multi-SIM tunnel capability using the linked PDU session feature may not be supported by the second network NW 2. At 1230, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can request to suspend the SIM1 internet data tunnel PDU session. As a result of the actions at 1224, 1226, 1227 and 1228, SIM1 has an active internet data PDU session using SIM1 through the first network NW1 and a suspended (standby) internet data tunnel PDU session through the second network NW2 via SIM 2. Thus, the SIM of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can have multiple internet data PDU sessions established over different wireless networks using different SIMs/esims of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102, where only one of the multiple PDU sessions will be active at a time. at 1232, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 registers with both networks NW1 and NW2 using the respective SIMs and is able to initiate or receive a voice or video connection with either SIM. At 1242, the IMS network element 312 initiates a voice or video connection of SIM2 by sending a page for VoLTE or VoNR call to SIM2 402-2 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102. At 1244, SIM2 402-2 sends a message to SIM1 402-1 indicating a request to conduct an incoming VoLTE or VoNR call using Radio Frequency (RF) resources. Since the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, SIM1 cannot use an internet data PDU session via SIM1 when setting up a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2, but must use an internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM 2. At 1246, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device sends a request to suspend the SIM1 PDU session identified by session ID "a". The request may also include a link PDU session ID based on a combination of the SIM2 identifier and an internet data tunnel PDU session ID ("B") for SIM1 via SIM 2. The request at 1156 pauses the SIM1 non-tunnel internet data PDU session and indicates a concatenated PDU session ID for the SIM1 tunnel internet data PDU session via SIM 2. The request at 1156 informs the first network NW1 that the SIM1 data communication should be routed through the second network NW2 over the tunnel internet data PDU session via the SIM 2. At 1248, SIM1 402-1 sends a message to SIM2 402-2 to authorize SIM2 402-2 to use the RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 via second network NW 2. At 1252, the SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call is active via NW 2. At 1254, network initiated Mobile Termination (MT) paging for SIM1 fails for a VoIP or Facetime connection to multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 via application server 1104 because SIM1 is unreachable (disabled). At 1256, SMF1 410-1 sends a message to SMF2 410-2 to provide resources for MT paging via an Internet data PDU tunneling session. Communication between SMF1 410-1 and SMF2 410-2 may occur via a previously established N16 interface. At 1258, SIM 2-2 of multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 sends a request to the core network of second network NW2 to activate the previously established and suspended internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM 1. The SIM1 internet data tunnel PDU session is identified (via SIM 2) by a SIM2 PDU session ID value "B" and is also identified as a linked PDU session ID having a value based on the combination of the SIM1 identifier and the SIM1 internet data PDU session ID value "a". In some embodiments, the SIM1 identifier is 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM1, and the SIM2 identifier is 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM 2. The internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM1 (via SIM 2) may be used whenever a user of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 initiates a data session. At 1260, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can exchange application data with the application server 1104 for the application of SIM1 via the internet data tunnel PDU session established over SIM2, while VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 is active. Data traffic for application data exchange over an internet data tunnel PDU session may be counted, for example, by a User Plane Function (UPF) 706-2 core network element (not shown), and the cumulative data usage report of the internet data tunnel PDU session may be forwarded to the appropriate network element of NW1 for charging/billing for SIM1 (to which the internet data service is applied) rather than for SIM2 (resources are used to tunnel data traffic). At 1262, SMF2 410-2 provides an accumulated data usage report regarding data bytes (and/or accumulated time) consumed by the tunnel internet data PDU session to SMF1 410-1 via the N16 interface. The cumulative data usage report may be communicated between SMFs using modified Secure Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP) protocol messages. At 1264, SMF1 410-1 forwards the accumulated data usage report (or information extracted therefrom regarding the consumed data bytes and/or accumulated time) to PCF 712-1 of NW1 for counting/billing purposes. PCF 712-1 of NW1 may consider the cumulative data usage of the tunnel internet data PDU session via to SIM 1.

Fig. 13A and 13B illustrate illustrations 1300, 1350 of another exemplary set of actions taken by the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 to establish an internet data PDU session tunnel for multiple SIMs associated with different SMFs 410-1, 410-2, which may be located in the same PLMN (intra-PLMN, inter-SMF data tunnel) or in different PLMNs (inter-PLMN, inter-SMF data tunnel). The set of actions shown in fig. 13A and 13B provide a streamlined (optimized) method of establishing a UE-initiated (mobile-initiated (MO)) or NW-initiated (mobile-terminated (MT)) internet data PDU session tunnel. Based on one SIM being used for active voice connection, an internet data tunnel PDU session is created for the other SIM only when needed. This approach saves network side resources and device side resources because the tunnel PDU session is not activated and suspended, but is created according to the needs of the SIM, which will be deactivated when another SIM actively uses radio resources for voice connection. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can include a first SIM/eSIM indicated as SIM1 302-1 and a second SIM/eSIM indicated as SIM 2302-2. At 1320, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register the SIM1 402-1 with a network element of the first 5G network NW1, e.g., via the RAN1 406-1 to the AMF1 408-1 and the SMF1 410-1. In some embodiments, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 provides information of a second SIM, such as SIM2 402-2, when registering a first SIM, such as SIM1 402-1. The information of the second SIM may include one or more identifiers of the second SIM, such as IMSI, 5G-GUTI, MSISDN, SUPI, and/or SUCI values. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide information about the second network NW2 to an MNO associated with the SIM2 402-2 when registering the SIM1 402-1. In some implementations, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also indicate device support for multi-SIM tunnel features, and information indicating the capability of the first network NW1 to support the multi-SIM tunnel features of the second network NW2 can be obtained from the first network NW1 when registering the SIM1 402-1. At 1324, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish an Internet data PDU session for SIM1 using SIM1 through the first network NW1, identifying the "Internet" as a DNN for a service of the Internet data PDU session. The SIM1 internet data PDU session may be assigned a digital integer identifier, e.g., "a". At 1326, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can register the SIM2 402-2 with a network element of the second 5G network NW 2. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide multi-SIM tunnel feature capability information to the second network NW2 and obtain information about the capability of the second network to support the multi-SIM tunnel features of the first network NW1 when registering the SIM 2-2. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can also provide identifiers for SIM1 402-1 and SIM1 MNO information. In some embodiments, during registration with the first network NW1 and/or the second network NW2, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 requests multi-SIM tunnel capabilities for one or more particular services, and the first and/or second networks NW1, NW2 with which the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 is registered may indicate services that are granted the multi-SIM tunnel capabilities. At 1328, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 registers with both networks NW1 and NW2 using the respective SIMs and is able to initiate or receive a voice or video connection with either SIM. At 1330, the IMS network element 312 initiates a voice or video connection for SIM2 by sending a page for VoLTE or VoNR call to SIM2 402-2 of the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102. At 1332, SIM2 402-2 sends a message to SIM1 402-1 indicating a request to conduct an incoming VoLTE or VoNR call using Radio Frequency (RF) resources. Since the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can only support active connections for one SIM at a time, SIM1 cannot use an internet data PDU session via SIM1 when setting up a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2, but must use an internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM 2. The internet data tunnel PDU session is established in fig. 13A and 13B as needed, rather than being established and suspended as previously described. At 1334, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device sends a request to suspend a SIM1 PDU session identified by session ID "a". The request may also include a link PDU session ID based on a combination of the SIM2 identifier and an internet data tunnel PDU session ID ("B") for SIM1 via SIM 2. The request at 1334 pauses the SIM1 non-tunnel internet data PDU session and indicates the concatenated PDU session ID for the SIM1 tunnel internet data PDU session via SIM 2. The request at 1334 informs the first network NW1 that the SIM1 data communication should be routed through the second network NW2 over a tunnel internet data PDU session via SIM 2. At 1336, the secure edge protection agents (SEPPs) of the respective first and second networks NW1, NW2 establish an N16 interface between the SMF1 410-1 of NW1 and the SMF2 410-2 of NW2 using SEPP procedures. The SEPP may set security policies for the inter-SMF (intra-PLMN or inter-PLMN) control plane interface via the N32 interface. At 1352, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can establish a second Internet data PDU session for SIM1 through the second network NW2, wherein the second Internet data PDU session is a tunnel PDU session for SIM1 using SIM2, identifying "Internet" as a DNN for the service and assigning a different digital integer identifier, e.g., "B". the tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM2 may also be assigned a unique link PDU session Identifier (ID), for example, by combining the unique SIM1 identifier with the previous SIM1 internet data PDU session ID ("a"). In some embodiments, the SIM1 identifier is 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM1, and the SIM2 identifier is 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM 2. The multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can provide a unique concatenated PDU session ID when sending a request to establish a tunnel PDU session to the second network NW2, and the second network NW2 can include the unique concatenated PDU session ID when providing a response accepting the establishment of the tunnel PDU session. In some embodiments, the lack of a linked PDU session ID in the response from the second network NW2 may indicate that the second network NW2 cannot link the active PDU session and the standby (tunnel) PDU session together, so the multi-SIM tunnel capability using the linked PDU session feature may not be supported by the second network NW 2. At 1354, SIM1 402-1 sends a message to SIM2 402-2 to authorize SIM2 402-2 to use the RF resources to establish a mobile terminated VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 via second network NW 2. At 1356, a SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call is active via NW 2. At 1358, the multi-SIM/eSIM wireless device 102 can exchange application data with the application server 504 for the application of SIM1 via the internet data tunnel PDU session established through SIM2, while VoLTE or VoNR call for SIM2 is active. Data traffic for application data exchange over an internet data tunnel PDU session may be counted, for example, by a User Plane Function (UPF) 706-2 core network element (not shown), and the cumulative data usage report of the internet data tunnel PDU session may be forwarded to the appropriate network element of NW1 for charging/billing for SIM1 (to which the internet data service is applied) rather than for SIM2 (resources are used to tunnel data traffic). At 1360, the SIM2 VoLTE or VoNR call via the second network NW2 for SIM2 ends. At 1362, SIM2 402-2 requests release of the internet data tunnel PDU session for SIM1 via SIM 2. At 1362, the Internet data tunnel PDU session is identified in the request by a PDU session ID "B" and a concatenated PDU session ID based on the combination of the SIM1 identifier and the SIM1 Internet data PDU session ID "A". In some embodiments, the SIM1 identifier is 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM1, and the SIM2 identifier is 5G-GUTI, SUPI, or SUCI of SIM 2. At 1364, SMF2 410-2 provides SMF1 410-1 with an accumulated data usage report regarding data bytes (and/or accumulated time) consumed by the tunnel Internet data PDU session via the N16 interface. The cumulative data usage report may be communicated between SMFs using modified SEPP protocol messages. At 1366, SMF1 410-1 forwards the accumulated data usage report (or information extracted therefrom regarding the consumed data bytes and/or accumulated time) to PCF 712-1 of NW1 for counting/billing purposes. PCF 712-1 of NW1 may consider the cumulative data usage of the tunnel internet data PDU session via to SIM 1.

Fig. 14A and 14B show graphs 1400, 1410, 1420, 1430 of cumulative data usage reports between SMFs. The UPF 706 of the network may provide reports of cumulative data usage to the SMF 702 of the network. The report may provide information of data bytes consumed and/or accumulated time for the tunnel internet data PDU session. In some scenarios, the UPF 706 may provide a cumulative data usage report to a domestic visited SMF (V-SMF), which may be forwarded to a domestic home SMF (H-SMF). In some embodiments, the cumulative data usage report is communicated between different SMFs using SMF service messages. Representative SMF service messages that may include cumulative data usage reports include release messages and StatusNotify messages shown in the table of diagram 1410. The communication of the cumulative data usage report between SMFs may be included in an Information Element (IE) of a Nsfm _ PDUSession _subscnibe message as shown in diagram 1420 or in a Nsfm _ PDUSession _ UpdateRequest message as shown in diagram 1430. The receiving SMF may respond to the Nsmf _ PDUSession _subscnibe message with a Nsmf _ PDUSession _ StatusNotify message, as shown in diagram 1420. Alternatively, as shown in diagram 1430, the receiving SMF may respond to the Nsmf _ PDUSession _ UpdateRequest message with a Nsmf _ PDUSession _ UPdateResponse message. In some embodiments, the SMF may use Nsmf _ PDUSession _ StatusNotify service operations to inform its consumers of the status of the PDU session, which may include data consumed by the released PDU session, e.g., for an internet data tunnel PDU session. In some embodiments, the cumulative usage data report may be transmitted via Nsmf _ PDUSession _ StatusNotify service operation messages, which include data consumed by the released linked PDU session and/or the cumulative duration. In some embodiments, the cumulative usage data report may be transmitted via Nsmf _ PDUSession _release service operation message, which includes data consumed by the released linked PDU session and/or the cumulative duration.

Representative embodiments

In some embodiments, a method of accessing services of a plurality of user identity modules (SIMs) by a single radio wireless device in communication with a cellular wireless network includes i) establishing a first Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for a first SIM to access a first cellular service, ii) establishing a second PDU session for a second SIM to access the second cellular service, iii) establishing a tunnel PDU session using the same Data Network Name (DNN) for the first SIM to access the first cellular service using the second SIM for the first SIM, iv) requesting suspension of the tunnel PDU session, v) requesting suspension of the tunnel PDU session in response to receiving a paging indication or a non-access stratum (NAS) notification message to establish a connection for the second SIM, a) requesting suspension of the first PDU session for the first SIM, and b) establishing the connection for the second SIM using the second PDU session for the second SIM, and vi) requesting activation of the first SIM via the second SIM, wherein data and PDU traffic are tunneled via the first SIM or the tunnel PDU session.

In some embodiments, the NAS notification message is received via a 3GPP access. In some embodiments, the NAS notification message is received via a non-3 GPP access indicating that the access type is a 3GPP access. In some implementations, the method further includes the single radio wireless device providing information of the first SIM during registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network. In some implementations, the information of the first SIM includes one or more identifiers of the first SIM. In some embodiments, the one or more identifiers of the first SIM include an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a five-generation globally unique temporary identity (5G-GUTI), a mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSFDD), a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), and/or a subscription hidden identifier (SUCI). In some embodiments, the first SIM and the second SIM are associated with different Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and the information of the first SIM includes MNO and/or PLMN information of the first SIM. In some implementations, the single radio wireless device indicates support for multiple SIM (multi-SIM) tunneling capabilities during registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network. In some implementations, the single radio wireless device obtains an indication of support for multi-SIM tunneling from the cellular wireless network during registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network. In some embodiments, the single radio wireless device obtains from the cellular wireless network an indication of one or more cellular services for which multi-SIM tunneling capability is authorized during registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network. In some implementations, each of the first PDU session for the first SIM, the second PDU session for the second SIM, and the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM are each an internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) PDU session. In some implementations, each of the first PDU session for the first SIM, the second PDU session for the second SIM, and the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM is an internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) PDU session, a Short Message Service (SMS) session, a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) session, a Visual Voicemail (VVM) session, or the like. in some embodiments, the tunnel PDU session is assigned a unique concatenated PDU session Identifier (ID) that combines the unique identifier of the first SIM with a PDU session ID for the first PDU session of the first SIM, and the single radio wireless device includes the unique concatenated PDU session ID when requesting to establish the tunnel PDU session. In some embodiments, at any time there is no or only one of i) the first PDU session for the first SIM, or ii) the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM is active. in some implementations, the data traffic of the first SIM transmitted via the second SIM via the tunnel PDU session is allocated to the first SIM instead of the second SIM for billing and/or counting purposes. In some implementations, the second SIM sends a request to the first SIM to access a Radio Frequency (RF) resource to establish the connection for the second SIM, and the first SIM grants the RF resource to establish the request for the connection for the second SIM. In some embodiments, the first and second SIMs are associated with different Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and a Session Management Function (SMF) of the cellular wireless network associated with the second SIM communicates tunnel data traffic of the first SIM with a corresponding SMF of the cellular wireless network associated with the first SIM using a Secure Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP) protocol. In some implementations, the corresponding SMF of the cellular wireless network associated with the first SIM forwards tunnel data traffic of the first SIM to a Policy Control Function (PCF) of the cellular wireless network associated with the first SIM for billing and/or counting purposes. In some implementations, the cellular wireless network configures a separate Data Radio Bearer (DRB) for the second SIM to carry the data traffic tunneled for the first SIM. In some implementations, the cellular wireless network configures one or more quality of service (QoS) rules to route Internet Protocol (IP) traffic belonging to the first SIM via the newly configured DRB on the second SIM. In some embodiments, the cellular wireless network configures a split DRB and assigns two separate Logical Channel Identifiers (LCIDs) including a first LCID assigned to the second SIM to carry its own traffic and a second LCID assigned to the second SIM to carry the data traffic tunneled for the first SIM. In some embodiments, the communication between the single radio wireless device and the cellular wireless network includes a first data radio bearer for traffic associated with the second SIM and a second data radio bearer for tunnel traffic associated with the first SIM. In some implementations, the communication between the single radio wireless device and an access network of the cellular wireless network includes a multiplexed data packet for the first SIM and for the second SIM, and the access network splits the multiplexed data packet into separate streams based at least in part on an identifier of the respective SIM included in a protocol header of the multiplexed data packet. An exemplary multiplexed data packet protocol header includes a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) header and a Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) header.

In some embodiments, a cellular wireless network base station includes i) radio circuitry for transmitting and receiving cellular wireless radio frequency signals, and ii) at least one processor communicatively coupled to the radio circuitry and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the cellular wireless network base station to perform at least a method of enabling a single radio wireless device to access services of a plurality of user identity modules (SIMs) by a) establishing a second Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for a second SIM of the single radio wireless device to access cellular services, b) establishing a tunneled PDU session for a first SIM of the single radio wireless device to access the cellular services via the second SIM of the single radio wireless device, c) suspending the tunneled PDU session in response to receiving a request from the single radio wireless device, d) sending a paging indication to the single radio wireless device to establish a connection for the second, e) establishing a second Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for the second SIM to use the second SIM to establish the tunneled PDU session via the second SIM and/or to activate the tunneled PDU session via the second SIM of the single radio wireless device.

In some implementations, the cellular wireless network base station configures a separate Data Radio Bearer (DRB) for the second SIM to carry the data traffic tunneled for the first SIM. In some implementations, the cellular wireless network base station configures one or more quality of service (QoS) rules to cause Internet Protocol (IP) traffic of the first SIM to be routed via the separate DRB associated with the second SIM. In some embodiments, the cellular wireless network base station configures a drop Data Radio Bearer (DRB) and assigns a first Logical Channel Identifier (LCID) to the second SIM that carries data traffic associated with the second SIM and a second LCID to the second SIM that carries tunnel data traffic associated with the first SIM. In some embodiments, the communication between the single radio wireless device and the cellular wireless network base station includes a first data radio bearer for traffic associated with the second SIM and a second data radio bearer for tunnel traffic associated with the first SIM. In some embodiments, the communication between the single radio wireless device and the cellular wireless network base station includes multiplexed data packets for the first SIM and for the second SIM, and the cellular wireless network base station splits the multiplexed data packets into separate streams based at least in part on identifiers of the respective SIMs included in a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) header or a service adaptation protocol (SDAP) header of the multiplexed data packets.

In some embodiments, an apparatus configured to operate in a single radio wireless device includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the single radio wireless device to perform a method of accessing services of a plurality of SIMs in communication with a cellular wireless network, as described herein.

In some embodiments, a single radio wireless device includes one or more antennas and at least one processor communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas and communicatively coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the single radio wireless device to perform a method of accessing services of a plurality of SIMs in communication with a cellular wireless network, as described herein.

In some embodiments, a cellular network base station includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the cellular network base station to perform a method of enabling a single radio wireless device to access services of a plurality of SIMs in communication with a cellular wireless network, as described herein.

Exemplary computing device

Fig. 15 illustrates a detailed view of a computing device 1500 that may be used to implement the various components described herein, in accordance with some embodiments. In particular, the detailed view illustrates various components that may be included in the wireless devices shown in fig. 1 and 2 and/or described herein. As shown in fig. 15, computing device 1500 may include a processor 1502 that represents a microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of computing device 1500. Computing device 1500 may also include a user input device 1508 that allows a user of computing device 1500 to interact with computing device 1500. For example, the user input device 1508 may take a variety of forms, such as buttons, a keypad, a dial, a touch screen, an audio input interface, a visual/image capture input interface, input in the form of sensor data, and so forth. Still further, the computing device 1500 may include a display 1510 (screen display) controllable by the processor 1502 to display information to a user. The data bus 1516 may facilitate data transfer between at least the memory device 1540, the processor 1502, and the controller 1513. A controller 1513 may be used to interact with and control different devices through a device control bus 1514. Computing device 1500 may also include a network/bus interface 1511 that is coupled to data link 1512. In the case of a wireless connection, the network/bus interface 1511 may include a wireless transceiver.

Computing device 1500 also includes storage device 1540 (which may include a single disk or multiple disks, e.g., hard disk drives) and a storage management module that manages one or more partitions within storage device 1540. In some implementations, the storage device 1540 can include flash memory, semiconductor (solid state) memory, and the like. Computing device 1500 can also include Random Access Memory (RAM) 1520 and Read Only Memory (ROM) 1522. The ROM 1522 may store programs, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM 1520 may provide volatile data storage and stores instructions related to the operation of the computing device 1500. The computing device 1500 can also include one or more UICC/eUICC 1550 that can store one or more SIMs and/or esims.

Wireless technology

According to various embodiments described herein, the terms "wireless communication device," "wireless device," "mobile station," and "user equipment" (UE) may be used interchangeably herein to describe one or any number of common consumer electronic devices that may be capable of performing processes associated with embodiments of the present disclosure. According to various implementations, any of these consumer electronic devices may involve: cellular or smart phones, tablet or laptop computers, media player devices, electronic book devices,Devices, wearable computing devices, and any other type of electronic computing device with fourth generation (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-advanced (LTE-a), fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR), or similar "later generation" cellular wireless access communication capabilities.

Additionally, it should be appreciated that the UEs described herein may be configured as multimode wireless devices capable of communicating via legacy third generation (3G) and/or second generation (2G) RATs in addition to being capable of communicating using a 4G wireless network and communicating using one or more different wireless local area networks. A multimode User Equipment (UE) may include support for communication in accordance with one or more different wireless communication protocols developed by standard entities, such as the 3GPP global system for mobile communications (GSM), universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), LTE-a, and 5G NR standards or the 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (1 xRTT, 2xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD) standards. The multimode UE may also support the use of wireless local area network protocols (e.g., institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX)) and wireless personal area network protocols (e.g.,) Is a communication of (a). Multiple wireless communication protocols may provide complementary functionality and/or different services for a multimode UE.

It is well known that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of inadvertent or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be specified to the user.

The various aspects, embodiments, implementations, or features of the embodiments may be used singly or in any combination. In addition, some aspects of the implementations may be implemented by software, hardware, or by a combination of hardware and software. The embodiments may also be implemented as computer program code stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium. The computer-readable medium can be associated with any data storage device that can store data which can be thereafter read by a computer or computer system. Examples of computer readable media include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, solid state disks (SSDs or flash memory), HDDs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer program code is executed in a distributed fashion.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that some of these specific details are not required to practice the embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise form or details disclosed. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above teachings that many modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims (24)

1. A single radio wireless device, comprising:

One or more antennas, and

At least one processor communicatively coupled to the one or more antennas and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the single radio wireless device to perform a method of accessing services of a plurality of subscriber identity modules, SIMs, in communication with a cellular wireless network by at least:

Establishing a first protocol data unit, PDU, session for the first SIM to access the first cellular service;

Establishing a second PDU session for the second SIM to access the second cellular service;

Establishing a tunnel PDU session for the first SIM to access the first cellular service via the second SIM;

requesting to pause the tunnel PDU session;

in response to receiving a paging indication or a non-access stratum NAS notification message to establish a connection for the second SIM:

Requesting to suspend said first PDU session for said first SIM, and

Establishing the connection for the second SIM using the second PDU session for the second SIM, and

Requesting activation of the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM,

Wherein:

assigning a unique concatenated PDU session identifier, ID, to the tunnel PDU session, the unique concatenated PDU session ID combining the unique identifier of the first SIM with a PDU session ID of the first PDU session for the first SIM;

When a request is made to establish the tunnel PDU session, the single radio wireless device includes the unique concatenated PDU session ID, and

Signaling and/or data traffic for the first SIM is transmitted via the second SIM via the tunnel PDU session.

2. The single-radio wireless device of claim 1, wherein the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM uses the same data network name DNN as the first PDU session for the first SIM.

3. The single-radio wireless device of claim 1, wherein the NAS notification message is received via a third generation partnership project, 3GPP, access or via a non-3 GPP access indicating a 3GPP access type for the connection established for the second SIM.

4. The single-radio wireless device of claim 1, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the single-radio wireless device to provide information of the first SIM during registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network, the information including one or more identifiers of the first SIM.

5. The single-radio wireless device of claim 4, wherein:

the first SIM and the second SIM being associated with different mobile network operators MNOs, and

The information of the first SIM further comprises MNO information and/or public land mobile network PLMN information of the first SIM.

6. The single-radio wireless device of claim 1, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the single-radio wireless device to:

indicating that the single radio wireless device supports multi-SIM tunneling capability during registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network;

obtaining an indication of support for multi-SIM tunneling from the cellular wireless network during registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network, and

An indication of one or more services that were granted multi-SIM tunneling capability during registration of the second SIM with the cellular wireless network is obtained from the cellular wireless network.

7. The single-radio wireless device of claim 1, wherein none or only one of the following is active at any time:

i) The first PDU session for the first SIM, or

Ii) the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM.

8. The single-radio wireless device of claim 1, wherein the data traffic of the first SIM transmitted via the second SIM via the tunnel PDU session is allocated to the first SIM instead of the second SIM for billing and/or accounting purposes.

9. An apparatus configured for operation in a single radio wireless device, the apparatus comprising at least one processor communicatively coupled to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the single radio wireless device to perform a method of accessing services of a plurality of subscriber identity modules, SIMs, in communication with a cellular wireless network by at least:

Establishing a first protocol data unit, PDU, session for the first SIM to access the first cellular service;

Establishing a second PDU session for the second SIM to access the second cellular service;

Establishing a tunnel PDU session for the first SIM to access the first cellular service via the second SIM;

requesting to pause the tunnel PDU session;

in response to receiving a paging indication or a non-access stratum NAS notification message to establish a connection for the second SIM:

Requesting to suspend said first PDU session for said first SIM, and

Establishing the connection for the second SIM using the second PDU session for the second SIM, and

Requesting activation of the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM,

Wherein:

assigning a unique concatenated PDU session identifier, ID, to the tunnel PDU session, the unique concatenated PDU session ID combining the unique identifier of the first SIM with a PDU session ID of the first PDU session for the first SIM;

When a request is made to establish the tunnel PDU session, the single radio wireless device includes the unique concatenated PDU session ID, and

Signaling and/or data traffic for the first SIM is transmitted via the second SIM via the tunnel PDU session.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

the second SIM sending a request to the first SIM to access radio frequency, RF, resources to establish the connection for the second SIM, and

The first SIM grants the request for the RF resource to establish the connection for the second SIM.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

the first SIM and the second SIM being associated with different mobile network operators MNOs, and

Session management functions SMF of the cellular wireless network associated with the second SIM communicate tunnel data traffic of the first SIM with corresponding SMFs of the cellular wireless network associated with the first SIM using a secure edge protection proxy SEPP protocol.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the corresponding SMF of the cellular wireless network associated with the first SIM forwards tunnel data traffic of the first SIM to a policy control function PCF of the cellular wireless network associated with the first SIM for billing and/or accounting purposes.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cellular wireless network configures a separate data radio bearer, DRB, for the second SIM to carry the data traffic tunneled for the first SIM.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the cellular wireless network configures one or more quality of service, qoS, rules to cause internet protocol, IP, traffic of the first SIM to be routed via the separate DRB associated with the second SIM.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cellular wireless network configuration splits a data radio bearer, DRB, and assigns a first logical channel identifier, LCID, for the second SIM that carries data traffic associated with the second SIM and a second LCID for the second SIM that carries tunnel data traffic associated with the first SIM.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the communication between the single radio wireless device and the cellular wireless network comprises a first data radio bearer for traffic associated with the second SIM and a second data radio bearer for tunnel traffic associated with the first SIM.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

the communication between the single radio wireless device and the access network of the cellular wireless network comprises multiplexed data packets for the first SIM and for the second SIM, and

The access network separates the multiplexed data packets into separate streams based at least in part on the identifiers of the respective SIMs included in the protocol headers of the multiplexed data packets.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the protocol header comprises a packet data convergence protocol PDCP header or a service adaptation protocol SDAP header.

19. A cellular radio network base station comprising:

A radio circuit for transmitting and receiving cellular radio frequency signals, and

At least one processor communicatively coupled to the radio circuitry and to a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the cellular wireless network base station to perform a method of enabling a single radio wireless device to access services of a plurality of subscriber identity modules, SIMs, by at least:

Establishing a second protocol data unit, PDU, session for a second SIM, access cellular service of the single radio wireless device;

In response to receiving a first request from the single radio wireless device, establishing a tunnel PDU session for a first SIM of the single radio wireless device to access the cellular service via the second SIM of the single radio wireless device, wherein the first request includes a unique linked PDU session identifier ID that combines the unique identifier of the first SIM with a PDU session ID of the first PDU session for the first SIM;

Transmitting a response to the single radio wireless device, the response including the unique concatenated PDU session identifier to indicate establishment of the tunnel PDU session;

Suspending the tunnel PDU session in response to receiving a second request from the single radio wireless device;

Transmitting a paging indication to the single radio wireless device to establish a connection for the second SIM;

establishing the connection for the second SIM using the second PDU session for the second SIM, and

Activating the tunnel PDU session for the first SIM via the second SIM,

Wherein signaling and/or data traffic for the first SIM is transmitted via the tunnel PDU session via the second SIM.

20. The cellular radio network base station of claim 19 wherein the cellular radio network base station configures a separate data radio bearer DRB for the second SIM to carry the data traffic tunneled for the first SIM.

21. The cellular radio network base station of claim 20 wherein the cellular radio network base station configures one or more quality of service QoS rules to cause internet protocol, IP, traffic of the first SIM to be routed via the separate DRB associated with the second SIM.

22. The cellular radio network base station of claim 19 wherein the cellular radio network base station configures a first logical channel identifier LCID that splits data radio bearers DRBs and assigns the second SIM with data traffic associated with the second SIM and a second LCID that assigns the second SIM with tunnel data traffic associated with the first SIM.

23. The cellular wireless network base station of claim 19, wherein the communication between the single radio wireless device and the cellular wireless network base station comprises a first data radio bearer for traffic associated with the second SIM and a second data radio bearer for tunnel traffic associated with the first SIM.

24. The cellular radio network base station of claim 19, wherein:

The communication between the single radio wireless device and the cellular wireless network base station comprising multiplexed data packets for the first SIM and for the second SIM, and

The cellular radio network base station separates the multiplexed data packets into separate streams based at least in part on identifiers of respective SIMs included in a packet data convergence protocol PDCP header or a service adaptation protocol SDAP header of the multiplexed data packets.