US-12621887-B2 - Out-of-network side-link communications between DSDS devices

Abstract

When two dual-SIM, dual-subscription (DSDS) wireless devices are located outside of their own (first) network operator's coverage area, but inside the coverage area of a second network operator having a roaming agreement with the first operator, the two devices are instructed to transmit data directly to one another via a side-link that is instigated and approved by the first operator, thereby reducing fees owed by the first operator to the second operator for the inter-device communications. In one implementation, the first operator secures a channel grant for the side-link from a CBRS SAS, and synchronization information for the side-link is provided to the two devices by the second operator.

Inventors

• Saran Khalid

Assignees

• CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING, LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20230824

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A first wireless network operator's network core comprising at least one processor configured to control one or more transceivers to enable the network core to: receive incoming information from a second wireless network operator about a communication session between two wireless devices that subscribe to the first wireless network operator, but not to the second wireless network operator; determine that the communication session should include direct communication between the two wireless devices via a side-link; and transmit outgoing information to the second wireless service operator to enable the two wireless devices to establish the side-link to communicate directly with each other, wherein the two wireless devices are located within a coverage area of the second wireless network operator, but outside of the first wireless network operator's coverage area.
2. 2 . The network core of claim 1 , wherein the first wireless network operator has a roaming agreement with the second wireless network operator.
3. 3 . The network core of claim 1 , wherein the two wireless devices are dual-SIM dual-subscription (DSDS) devices.
4. 4 . The network core of claim 1 , wherein the incoming information comprises identities and locations of the two wireless devices and a type of communication for the communication session.
5. 5 . The network core of claim 1 , wherein the network core is configured to determine that the communication session should include the direct communication between the two wireless devices via the side-link based on (i) distance between the two wireless devices, (ii) predicted pathloss between the two wireless devices, and (iii) predicted interference resulting from the direct communication.
6. 6 . The network core of claim 1 , wherein the outgoing information comprises a channel and a power level for the side-link.
7. 7 . The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein the network core is configured to secure a channel grant for the side-link in a Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum from a spectrum access system (SAS).
8. 8 . The wireless device of claim 1 , wherein: the first wireless network operator has a roaming agreement with the second wireless network operator; the two wireless devices are DSDS devices; the incoming information comprises identities and locations of the two wireless devices and a type of communication for the communication session; the network core is configured to determine that the communication session should include the direct communication between the two wireless devices via the side-link based on (i) distance between the two wireless devices, (ii) predicted pathloss between the two wireless device, and (iii) predicted interference resulting from the direct communication; the outgoing information comprises a channel and a power level for the side-link; and the network core is configured to secure a channel grant for the side-link in a CBRS spectrum from a SAS.
9. 9 . A method for first wireless network operator's network core, the method comprising the network core: receiving incoming information from a second wireless network operator about a communication session between two wireless devices that subscribe to the first wireless network operator, but not to the second wireless network operator; determining that the communication session should include direct communication between the two wireless devices via a side-link; and transmitting outgoing information to the second wireless service operator to enable the two wireless devices to establish the side-link to communicate directly with each other, wherein the two wireless devices are located within a coverage area of the second wireless network operator, but outside of the first wireless network operator's coverage area.
10. 10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the first wireless network operator has a roaming agreement with the second wireless network operator.
11. 11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the two wireless devices are DSDS devices.
12. 12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the incoming information comprises identities and locations of the two wireless devices and a type of communication for the communication session.
13. 13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the network core determines that the communication session should include the direct communication between the two wireless devices via the side-link based on (i) distance between the two wireless devices, (ii) predicted pathloss between the two wireless devices, and (iii) predicted interference resulting from the direct communication.
14. 14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the outgoing information comprises a channel and a power level for the side-link.
15. 15 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the network core secures a channel grant for the side-link in a CBRS spectrum from a SAS.
16. 16 . The method of claim 9 , wherein: the first wireless network operator has a roaming agreement with the second wireless network operator; the two wireless devices are DSDS devices; the incoming information comprises identities and locations of the two wireless devices and a type of communication for the communication session; the network core determines that the communication session should include the direct communication between the two wireless devices via the side-link based on (i) distance between the two wireless devices, (ii) predicted pathloss between the two wireless device, and (iii) predicted interference resulting from the direct communication; the outgoing information comprises a channel and a power level for the side-link; and the network core secures a channel grant for the side-link in a CBRS spectrum from a SAS.
17. 17 . A wireless device configured to subscribe to a first wireless network operator, but not to a second wireless network operator, the wireless device comprising at least one processor configured to control one or more transceivers to enable the wireless device to: transmit, to the second wireless network operator, a request to transmit data in a communication session with an other wireless device; receive, from the second wireless network operator, instructions to perform at least part of the communication session in direct communication with the other wireless device via a side-link; establish the side-link with the other wireless device; and transmit at least some of the data directly to the other wireless device via the side-link, wherein the wireless device and the other wireless device are located within a coverage area of the second wireless network operator, but outside of the first wireless network operator's coverage area.
18. 18 . The wireless device of claim 17 , wherein the first wireless network operator has a roaming agreement with the second wireless network operator.
19. 19 . The wireless device of claim 17 , wherein the wireless device and the other wireless device are DSDS devices.
20. 20 . The wireless device of claim 17 , wherein the request to transmit the data comprises the wireless device's location, the other wireless device's identity, and a type of communication for the communication session.

Description

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure The present disclosure relates to wireless cellular communications and, in particular, wireless cellular communications using dual-SIM, dual-subscription (DSDS) devices. Description of the Related Art This section introduces aspects that may help facilitate a better understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is prior art or what is not prior art. It is known for two wireless network operators to have a roaming agreement that enables a subscriber of the first operator to use a dual-SIM, dual-subscription (DSDS) device that is located outside the coverage area of the first operator's wireless network, but inside the coverage area of the second operator's wireless network, to communicate via the second operator's wireless network. A DSDS device implements a connection manager, a software agent that manages the hand-in and hand-out of the DSDS device between the two wireless networks according to a set of rules for predefined conditions. In such a situation, the first operator typically pays a fee to the second operator for those communication services. It is desirable for the first operator to keep those fees low, while still enabling optimal communication services for its customers. SUMMARY Problems in the prior art are addressed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure by enabling two DSDS UEs that are located outside of their (first) operator's coverage area, but within the coverage area of a second operator that has a roaming agreement with the first operator, to communicate directly with each other using a side-link that does not rely on the second operator's wireless network for the entire communication. In this way, the fees owed by the first operator to the second operator can be reduced compared to the entire communication being provided by the second operator's wireless network. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram representing one possible implementation of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram representing elements of the first and second operator's core networks of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a message flow diagram showing the communications between the different elements in FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 4 is a message flow diagram showing further details about the establishment of the side-link between the two of FIG. 1 in Step 16 of FIG. 3; and FIG. 5 is a simplified hardware block diagram of an example element that can be used to implement any of the components/functions of FIGS. 1 and 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Detailed illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein. Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It further will be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “contains,” “containing,” “includes,” and/or “including,” specify the presence of stated features, steps, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, or components. It also should be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functions/acts involved. A dual-SIM, dual-subscription (DSDS) user equipment (UE) is wireless device that has two subscriber identity module (SIM) cards that enable the UE to communicate with the wireless networks of two different wireless network operators. It is also known for two DSDS UEs that are sufficiently close to one another to communicate directly with each other using side-link communications that do not directly involve an intermediate wireless network. FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram representing one possible implementation of the present disclosure in which wireless communications are provided within the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum. Those skilled in the art will understand how to implement embodiments of the present disclosure for other sp