Optimizing power consumption in Multi-SIM devices

A method and apparatus for optimizing power consumption in multi-subscriber identity module (SIM) devices in a wireless communication system is disclosed. For example, a UE may determine, in a Multi-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Multi-Subscriber (MSMS) mode, whether one of a plurality of subscriptions is configured as a Default Data Subscription (DDS) or a non-DDS; and perform a carrier aggregation power saving mode procedure for the one of the plurality of subscriptions based on a determination that the one of the plurality of subscriptions is configured as the DDS or the non-DDS.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communication networks, and more particularly, to optimizing power consumption in multi-subscriber identity module (SIM) devices in a wireless communication system.

These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate on a municipal, national, regional, and even global level. For example, a fifth generation (5G) wireless communications technology (which can be referred to as new radio (NR)) is envisaged to expand and support diverse usage scenarios and applications with respect to current mobile network generations. In an aspect, 5G communications technology can include: enhanced mobile broadband addressing human-centric use cases for access to multimedia content, services and data; ultra-reliable-low latency communications (URLLC) with certain specifications for latency and reliability; and massive machine type communications, which can allow a very large number of connected devices and transmission of a relatively low volume of non-delay-sensitive information. As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, however, further improvements in NR communications technology and beyond may be desired.

For example, for NR communications technology and beyond (and with Long Term Evolution (LTE communications technology), improvements in power consumption and carrier aggregation may be desired.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect, a method for optimizing power consumption in Multi-SIM devices for wireless communications. The described aspects include determining, by a user equipment (UE) in a Multi-SIM Multi-Subscriber (MSMS) mode, whether one of a plurality of subscriptions is configured as a Default Data Subscription (DDS) or a non-DDS. The described aspects further include performing, by the UE, a carrier aggregation power saving mode procedure for the one of the plurality of subscriptions based on a determination that the one of the plurality of subscriptions is configured as the DDS or the non-DDS.

In an aspect, an apparatus for enabling optimizing power consumption in Multi-SIM devices for wireless communications may include a transceiver, a memory; and at least one processor coupled with the memory and configured to determine, by a UE in a MSMS mode, whether one of a plurality of subscriptions is configured as a DDS or a non-DDS. The described aspects further perform, by the UE, a carrier aggregation power saving mode procedure for the one of the plurality of subscriptions based on a determination that the one of the plurality of subscriptions is configured as the DDS or the non-DDS.

In an aspect, a computer-readable medium may store computer executable code for optimizing power consumption in Multi-SIM devices for wireless communications is described. The described aspects include code for determining, by a UE in a MSMS mode, whether one of a plurality of subscriptions is configured as a DDS or a non-DDS. The described aspects further includes code for performing, by the UE, a carrier aggregation power saving mode procedure for the one of the plurality of subscriptions based on a determination that the one of the plurality of subscriptions is configured as the DDS or the non-DDS.

In an aspect, an apparatus for optimizing power consumption in Multi-SIM devices for wireless communications is described. The described aspects include means for determining, by a UE in a MSMS mode, whether one of a plurality of subscriptions is configured as a DDS or a non-DDS. The described aspects further includes means for performing, by the UE, a carrier aggregation power saving mode procedure for the one of the plurality of subscriptions based on a determination that the one of the plurality of subscriptions is configured as the DDS or the non-DDS.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects are now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details. Additionally, the term “component” as used herein may be one of the parts that make up a system, may be hardware, firmware, and/or software stored on a computer-readable medium, and may be divided into other components.

The present disclosure generally relates to reducing power consumption in Multi-SIM (MSIM) devices in a wireless communication system. In an example, for one UE, multiple SIMs may be configured along with multiple subscribers, such as, a Dual-SIM Dual-Subscriber (DSDS). Both subscriptions may be LTE communication technologies (L+L) or a first subscription may be LTE while the second subscription is non-LTE, and the subscriptions may operate independently of one another. In this example, one of the subscriptions may be the primary subscription and set as a DDS while the other subscription may be the secondary subscription and set as a non-DDS. For example, the primary subscription (i.e., DDS) is configured to transfer data, such as, application data, along with Voice over LTE (VoLTE) traffic while the secondary subscription (i.e., non-DDS) is configured only for VoLTE traffic.

Generally, the majority of UEs are capable of supporting over 25 bands, such as LTE bands. As a result, UEs are configured to report UE capability information messages that include information for all of the bands to the network. Due to the number of bands, the message lengths of the UE capability information messages sent in the uplink may exceed 1500 bytes which increases uplink setup times. Due to all of these bands, carrier aggregation band combination possibilities also increase with downlink/uplink carrier aggregation combinations. These combinations can further increase the length of the UE capability information messages. Moreover, carrier aggregation configuration can cause additional components of the UE to be activated resulting in higher power consumption. Thus, the resulting power consumption adversely affects the UE configured in a MSMS mode even when only one of the subscriptions is configured for carrier aggregation.

In an aspect, a UE may be configured as a MSMS device, such as a DSDS device, that is running with LTE on both subscriptions, or LTE on one subscription and non-LTE on the other subscription. The UE broadcasts carrier aggregation capabilities on both subscriptions. However, in this example, only the primary subscription (i.e., DDS) requires a higher data rate (i.e., carrier aggregation throughput) to accommodate for data exchange of application data (e.g., browsing/streaming/etc.) while the secondary subscription (i.e., non-DDS) will only be used for VoLTE. Normally, the network configures secondary cells to UEs that have carrier aggregation capabilities, but this activation depends on the data activity and network loading. Once the secondary cell is configured, the UE configures front end components based on carrier aggregation combination requirements. This configuration of the front end components leads to an increase in power consumption. Further, the UE is also required to perform periodic measurements on the configured secondary cell irrespective of the primary cell channel conditions. Therefore, a subscription, such as the secondary subscription, that does not require carrier aggregation causes the UE to unnecessarily consume power. Moreover, when the UE is mobile, secondary cell configuration-removal becomes frequent due to varying channel conditions causing the UE to do additional signaling for a subscription (i.e., secondary subscription) that does not require carrier aggregation.

In an implementation at a UE, an example method of wireless communications includes determining, by a UE in a MSMS mode, whether one of a plurality of subscriptions is configured as a DDS or a non-DDS. Additionally, the method includes performing, by the UE, a carrier aggregation power saving mode procedure for the one of the plurality of subscriptions based on a determination that the one of the plurality of subscriptions is configured as the DDS or the non-DDS.

Additional features of the present aspects are described in more detail below with respect toFIGS. 1-6.

Referring toFIG. 1, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, an example of a wireless communication network100including at least one UE110and at least one base station105. The UE110may include a modem140having a power saving component150that performs a carrier aggregation power saving mode procedure154in a wireless communication system. Further, the wireless communication network100includes at least one base station105with a modem160having a carrier aggregation component170that receives UE capability information messages156from a UE110and determines whether to configure one or more subscriptions152with carrier aggregation172capabilities.

In an aspect, the UE110and/or power saving component150may execute determination component180to determine, in a MSMS mode, whether one of a plurality of subscriptions152is configured as a Default Data Subscription (DDS) or a non-DDS. The UE110and/or power saving component150may execute performing component190to perform a carrier aggregation power saving mode procedure154for the one of the plurality of subscriptions152based on a determination that one of the plurality of subscriptions152is configured as the DDS or the non-DDS. In another example, the UE110and/or power saving component150may execute determination component180to determine whether one of the plurality of subscriptions152is configured as a primary subscription or a secondary subscription.

In an aspect, a UE, such as UE110, may selectively broadcast carrier aggregation capabilities in order to reduce power consumption and enhance standby and talk time. For example, the UE110and/or the power saving component150may execute determination component180to determine which one of the subscriptions152is configured as the non-DDS, so as to prevent transmission of carrier aggregation capabilities for these subscriptions. The UE110may remove the carrier aggregation information from the UE capability information message156for the subscription is configured as the non-DDS. As a result, the length of the UE capability information message156will be reduced, and the network100will not configure secondary cells on the these subscriptions that are configured as the non-DDS. Further, UE110will not be required to activate additional components for carrier aggregation configurations or do periodic secondary cell measurements.

In an aspect, the UE110may also only broadcast carrier aggregation capabilities based on a threshold to reduce power consumption. For example, the threshold may correspond to battery charge levels of the UE and/or data usage. Regarding data usage, the user of a UE110may have a data plan that reduces data speeds after the user exceeds a data usage threshold for a period of time, and thus, there is no need for broadcasting carrier aggregation capabilities. Once a user exceeds the data usage threshold, the UE is throttled so as to prevent high speed data transfers.

The wireless communication network100may include one or more base stations105, one or more UEs110, and a core network115. The core network115may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, internet protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The base stations105may interface with the core network115through backhaul links120(e.g., S1, etc.). The base stations105may perform radio configuration and scheduling for communication with the UEs110, or may operate under the control of a base station controller (not shown). In various examples, the base stations105may communicate, either directly or indirectly (e.g., through core network115), with one another over backhaul links125(e.g., X1, etc.), which may be wired or wireless communication links.

The base stations105may wirelessly communicate with the UEs110via one or more base station antennas. Each of the base stations105may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area130. In some examples, base stations105may be referred to as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, an access node, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), gNodeB (gNB), Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, a relay, or some other suitable terminology. The geographic coverage area130for a base station105may be divided into sectors or cells making up only a portion of the coverage area (not shown). The wireless communication network100may include base stations105of different types (e.g., macro base stations or small cell base stations, described below). Additionally, the plurality of base stations105may operate according to different ones of a plurality of communication technologies (e.g., 5G (New Radio or “NR”), fourth generation (4G)/LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.), and thus there may be overlapping geographic coverage areas130for different communication technologies.

In some examples, the wireless communication network100may be or include one or any combination of communication technologies, including a new radio (NR) or 5G technology, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) or MuLTEfire technology, a Wi-Fi technology, a Bluetooth technology, or any other long or short range wireless communication technology. In LTE/LTE-A/MuLTEfire networks, the term evolved node B (eNB) may be generally used to describe the base stations105, while the term UE may be generally used to describe the UEs110. The wireless communication network100may be a heterogeneous technology network in which different types of eNBs provide coverage for various geographical regions. For example, each eNB or base station105may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a small cell, or other types of cell. The term “cell” is a 3GPP term that can be used to describe a base station, a carrier or component carrier associated with a base station, or a coverage area (e.g., sector, etc.) of a carrier or base station, depending on context.

A macro cell may generally cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by the UEs110with service subscriptions with the network provider.

A small cell may include a relative lower transmit-powered base station, as compared with a macro cell, that may operate in the same or different frequency bands (e.g., licensed, unlicensed, etc.) as macro cells. Small cells may include pico cells, femto cells, and micro cells according to various examples. A pico cell, for example, may cover a small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by the UEs110with service subscriptions with the network provider. A femto cell may also cover a small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may provide restricted access and/or unrestricted access by the UEs110having an association with the femto cell (e.g., in the restricted access case, the UEs110in a closed subscriber group (CSG) of the base station105, which may include the UEs110for users in the home, and the like). A micro cell may cover a geographic area larger than a pico cell and a femto cell, but smaller than a macro cell. An eNB for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro eNB. An eNB for a small cell may be referred to as a small cell eNB, a pico eNB, a femto eNB, or a home eNB. An eNB may support one or multiple (e.g., two, three, four, and the like) cells (e.g., component carriers).

The communication networks that may accommodate some of the various disclosed examples may be packet-based networks that operate according to a layered protocol stack and data in the user plane may be based on the IP. A user plane protocol stack (e.g., packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), radio link control (RLC), MAC, etc.), may perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate over logical channels. For example, a MAC layer may perform priority handling and multiplexing of logical channels into transport channels. The MAC layer may also use hybrid automatic repeat/request (HARD) to provide retransmission at the MAC layer to improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the RRC protocol layer may provide establishment, configuration, and maintenance of an RRC connection between a UE110and the base station105. The RRC protocol layer may also be used for core network115support of radio bearers for the user plane data. At the physical (PHY) layer, the transport channels may be mapped to physical channels.

The UEs110may be dispersed throughout the wireless communication network100, and each UE110may be stationary or mobile. A UE110may also include or be referred to by those skilled in the art as a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology. A UE110may be a cellular phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a smart watch, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an entertainment device, a vehicular component, a customer premises equipment (CPE), or any device capable of communicating in wireless communication network100. Additionally, a UE110may be Internet of Things (IoT) and/or machine-to-machine (M2M) type of device, e.g., a low power, low data rate (relative to a wireless phone, for example) type of device, that may in some aspects communicate infrequently with wireless communication network100or other UEs. A UE110may be able to communicate with various types of base stations105and network equipment including macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, macro gNBs, small cell gNBs, relay base stations, and the like.

UE110may be configured to establish one or more wireless communication links135with one or more base stations105. The wireless communication links135shown in wireless communication network100may carry uplink (UL) transmissions from a UE110to a base station105, or downlink (DL) transmissions, from a base station105to a UE110. The downlink transmissions may also be called forward link transmissions while the uplink transmissions may also be called reverse link transmissions. Each wireless communication link135may include one or more carriers, where each carrier may be a signal made up of multiple sub-carriers (e.g., waveform signals of different frequencies) modulated according to the various radio technologies described above. Each modulated signal may be sent on a different sub-carrier and may carry control information (e.g., reference signals, control channels, etc.), overhead information, user data, etc. In an aspect, the wireless communication links135may transmit bidirectional communications using frequency division duplex (FDD) (e.g., using paired spectrum resources) or time division duplex (TDD) operation (e.g., using unpaired spectrum resources). Frame structures may be defined for FDD (e.g., frame structure type 1) and TDD (e.g., frame structure type 2). Moreover, in some aspects, the wireless communication links135may represent one or more broadcast channels.

In some aspects of the wireless communication network100, base stations105or UEs110may include multiple antennas for employing antenna diversity schemes to improve communication quality and reliability between base stations105and UEs110. Additionally or alternatively, base stations105or UEs110may employ multiple input multiple output (MIMO) techniques that may take advantage of multi-path environments to transmit multiple spatial layers carrying the same or different coded data.

Wireless communication network100may support operation on multiple cells or carriers, a feature which may be referred to as carrier aggregation (CA) or multi-carrier operation. A carrier may also be referred to as a component carrier (CC), a layer, a channel, etc. The terms “carrier,” “component carrier,” “cell,” and “channel” may be used interchangeably herein. A UE110may be configured with multiple downlink CCs and one or more uplink CCs for carrier aggregation. Carrier aggregation may be used with both FDD and TDD component carriers. The base stations105and UEs110may use spectrum up to Y MHz (e.g., Y=5, 10, 15, or 20 MHz) bandwidth per carrier allocated in a carrier aggregation of up to a total of Yx MHz (x=number of component carriers) used for transmission in each direction. The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. Allocation of carriers may be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or less carriers may be allocated for DL than for UL). The component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. A primary component carrier may be referred to as a primary cell (PCell) and a secondary component carrier may be referred to as a secondary cell (SCell).

The wireless communications network100may further include base stations105operating according to Wi-Fi technology, e.g., Wi-Fi access points, in communication with UEs110operating according to Wi-Fi technology, e.g., Wi-Fi stations (STAs) via communication links in an unlicensed frequency spectrum (e.g., 5 GHz). When communicating in an unlicensed frequency spectrum, the STAs and AP may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) or listen before talk (LBT) procedure prior to communicating in order to determine whether the channel is available.

Additionally, one or more of base stations105and/or UEs110may operate according to a NR or 5G technology referred to as millimeter wave (mmW or mmwave or MMW) technology. For example, mmW technology includes transmissions in mmW frequencies and/or near mmW frequencies. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is part of the radio frequency (RF) in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and a wavelength between 1 millimeter and 10 millimeters. Radio waves in this band may be referred to as a millimeter wave. Near mmW may extend down to a frequency of 3 GHz with a wavelength of 100 millimeters. For example, the super high frequency (SHF) band extends between 3 GHz and 30 GHz, and may also be referred to as centimeter wave. Communications using the mmW and/or near mmW radio frequency band has extremely high path loss and a short range. As such, base stations105and/or UEs110operating according to the mmW technology may utilize beamforming in their transmissions to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short range.

FIG. 2depicts a conceptual diagram of an example carrier aggregation power saving mode procedure for reducing the length of a UE capability information message at a UE. For example, a UE and the base station may correspond to the UE110and the base station105, respectively, located in wireless communication network100as shown inFIG. 1. Further, the UE110may include a modem140having a power saving component150that performs a carrier aggregation power saving mode procedure154. Further, the base station105may include a modem160having a carrier aggregation component170that receive UE capability information message(s) and configure carrier aggregation capabilities for one or more subscriptions152.

In an aspect, the UE110and/or power saving component150may execute determination component180to determine, in a MSMS mode, whether one of a plurality of subscriptions152is configured as a DDS or a non-DDS. In this example, one of the subscriptions may be the primary subscription and set as a DDS while the other subscription may be the secondary subscription and set as a non-DDS. For example, the primary subscription (i.e., the DDS202) is configured to transfer data, such as, application data, along with Voice over LTE (VoLTE) traffic while the secondary subscription (i.e., the non-DDS204) is configured only for VoLTE traffic. For example, the UE110and/or power saving component150may execute determination component180to determine that a first subscription corresponds to a DDS202. For the DDS202, the UE110and/or power saving component150may transmit, to a network entity105, a UE capability information message206with carrier aggregation (CA) information. In this example, the UE capability information message206may have a message length208. In some instances, the message length208may be greater than 1500 bytes.

In an aspect, the UE110and/or power saving component150may execute determination component180to determine that a second subscription corresponds to a non-DDS204. For example, the UE110may execute power saving component150to perform a carrier aggregation power saving mode procedure154for the non-DDS204. For the non-DDS204, the UE110and/or power saving component150may then transmit, to a network entity105, a UE capability information message210without carrier aggregation information. In this example, the UE capability information message210may have a message length212which is less than the message length208. In some instances, the message length208may be less than 1500 bytes.

Referring toFIG. 3, for example, a method300of wireless communication at UE110according to the above-described aspects to perform a carrier aggregation power saving mode procedure154in a wireless communication system includes one or more of the herein-defined actions.

At block302, the method300may determine, by a UE in a MSMS mode, whether one of a plurality of subscriptions is configured as a DDS or a non-DDS. For example, the UE110may execute power saving component150to determine, in a MSMS mode, whether one of a plurality of subscriptions152is configured as a DDS or a non-DDS. In an example, the one of the plurality of subscriptions152corresponds to a VoLTE subscription. In another example, the DDS corresponds to a subscription configured to transfer data communications. Further, the UE110may execute power saving component150to determine whether one of the plurality of subscriptions152is configured as the DDS in response to at least one of powering on the UE110or performing a cell selection or reselection procedure based on an out-of-service indication.

At block304, the method300may perform, by the UE110, a carrier aggregation power saving mode procedure for the one of the plurality of subscriptions based on a determination that the one of the plurality of subscriptions is configured as the DDS or the non-DDS. For example, the UE110may execute power saving component150to perform a carrier aggregation power saving mode procedure154for the one of the plurality of subscriptions152based on a determination that the one of the plurality of subscriptions152is configured as the DDS or the non-DDS.FIGS. 3 and 4describe example carrier aggregation power saving mode procedures154that the UE110may execute power saving component150to perform.

Referring toFIG. 4A, for example, a method400of wireless communication at UE110according to the above-described aspects to selectively broadcast carrier aggregation capabilities in order to reduce power consumption in a wireless communication system includes one or more of the herein-defined actions.

At block402, the method400may optionally power on the UE or perform a cell selection or reselection procedure based on an out-of-service indication. For example, the UE110may power on or perform a cell selection or reselection procedure based on an out-of-service indication. In an example, a UE, such as UE110, may be configured to perform an attach procedure to a network100after powering on or performing cell selection or reselection procedures which results in the UE110being required to broadcast a UE capability information message(s) to the network entity105of network100.

At block404, the method400may determine, by a UE in a MSMS mode, whether one of a plurality of subscriptions is configured as a DDS or a non-DDS. For example, the UE110may execute the power saving component150to determine, in a MSMS mode, whether one of a plurality of subscriptions152is configured as a DDS or a non-DDS. If at block404, the UE110determines that one of the plurality of subscriptions152is configured as a non-DDS then method400proceeds to block406, otherwise method400proceeds to block408.

At block406, the method400may transmit, by the UE to a network entity, a UE capability information message without carrier aggregation information on the subscription that is determined to be the non-DDS subscription. For example, the UE110may execute the power saving component150to transmit, to a network entity105, a UE capability information message156without carrier aggregation information on the subscription152that is determined to be a non-DDS subscription. In an example, transmitting the UE capability information message156without carrier aggregation information prevents configuration of a secondary cell on the subscription152that is determined to be the non-DDS subscription by the network entity105.

At block408, the method400may transmit, by the UE to a network entity, a UE capability information message with carrier aggregation information on the subscription that is determined to be DDS subscription. For example, the UE110may execute the power saving component150to transmit, to a network entity105, a UE capability information message156with carrier aggregation information on the subscription152that is determined to be DDS subscription.

At block410, the method400may continue with procedures on each subscription respectively. For example, the UE110may execute power saving component150to continue with procedures on each subscription152respectively.

Referring toFIG. 4B, for example, a method420of wireless communication at UE110according to the above-described aspects to broadcast carrier aggregation capabilities for a subscription configured as a DDS based on one or more thresholds to reduce power consumption in a wireless communication system includes one or more of the herein-defined actions.

At block422, the method420may optionally power on the UE or perform a cell selection or reselection procedure based on an out-of-service indication. For example, the UE110may powering on or performing a cell selection or reselection procedure based on an out-of-service indication. In an example, a UE, such as UE110, may be configured to perform an attach procedure to a network100after powering on or performing cell selection or reselection procedures which result in the UE110being required to broadcast UE capability information messages to the network entity105of network100.

At block424, the method420may determine whether a performance characteristic of the UE satisfies a first performance threshold. For example, the UE110may execute the power saving component150to determine whether a performance characteristic of the UE110satisfies a first performance threshold. In an example, the performance characteristic of the UE110corresponds to at least one of a charge level of a battery of the UE110or a data usage of the UE110, and the first performance threshold corresponds to at least one of a first battery charge level threshold or a first data usage threshold. The first battery charge level threshold can correspond to a critical charge level of the battery. In an example, satisfying the first performance threshold includes determining whether the performance characteristic is less than the first performance threshold.

If at block424, UE110determines that the performance characteristic of the UE110satisfies the first performance threshold then method420proceeds to block426, otherwise method420proceeds to block428.

At block426, the method420may determine whether the UE is engaged in an active call on the one of the plurality of subscriptions. For example, the UE110may execute the power saving component150to determine whether the UE110is engaged in an active call on the one of the plurality of subscriptions152. If at block426, the UE110determines that an active call is currently engaged then method420proceeds to block430, otherwise method420proceeds to block432.

At block428, the method420may determine whether the UE is engaged in an active call on the one of the plurality of subscriptions. For example, the UE110may execute the power saving component150to determine whether the UE110is engaged in an active call on the one of the plurality of subscriptions152. If at block428, the UE110determines that an active call is currently engaged then method420proceeds to block436, otherwise method420proceeds to block434.

At block430, the method420may disconnect from the active call based on a determination that the UE is engaged in the active call, transmit, to a network entity, a UE capability information message without carrier aggregation information on the subscription based on the determination whether the performance characteristic of the UE satisfies the first performance threshold, and connect to a new call on the one subscription in response to transmitting the UE capability information message without the carrier aggregation information. For example, the UE110may execute the power saving component150to disconnect from the active call based on a determination that the UE110is engaged in an active call, transmit, to a network entity105, a UE capability information message156without carrier aggregation information on the subscription152based on the determination whether the performance characteristic of the UE110satisfies the first performance threshold, and connect to a new call on the one subscription152in response to transmitting the UE capability information message156without the carrier aggregation information.

At block432, the method420may transmit, by the UE to a network entity, a UE capability information message without carrier aggregation information on the subscription that is determined to be non-DDS subscription. For example, the UE110may execute the power saving component150to transmit, to a network entity, a UE capability information message156without carrier aggregation information on the subscription152based on the determination that the performance characteristic of the UE satisfies the first performance threshold and the determination that the UE110is not engaged in the active call.

At block434, the method420may transmit, by the UE to a network entity, a UE capability information message with carrier aggregation information on the subscription that is determined to be DDS subscription. For example, the UE110may execute the power saving component150to transmit, to a network entity, a UE capability information message156with carrier aggregation information on the subscription152based on the determination that the performance characteristic of the UE110fails to satisfy the first performance threshold and the determination that the UE110is not engaged in the active call.

At block436, the method420may disconnect from the active call based on a determination that the UE is engaged in the active call, transmit, to a network entity, a UE capability information message without carrier aggregation information on the subscription based on the determination whether the performance characteristic of the UE satisfies the first performance threshold, and connect to a new call on the one subscription in response to transmitting the UE capability information message without the carrier aggregation information. For example, the UE110may execute the power saving component150to disconnect from the active call based on a determination that the UE110is engaged in the active call, transmit, to a network entity105, a UE capability information message156without carrier aggregation information on the subscription152based on the determination whether the performance characteristic of the UE110satisfies the first performance threshold, and connect to a new call on the one subscription152in response to transmitting the UE capability information message156without the carrier aggregation information.

At block438, the method420may determine whether the performance characteristic of the UE satisfies a second performance threshold. For example, the UE110may execute the power saving component150to determine whether the performance characteristic of the UE110satisfies a second performance threshold. In an example, the performance characteristic of the UE110corresponds to at least one of a charge level of a battery of the UE110or a data usage of the UE110, and the second performance threshold corresponds to at least one of a second battery charge level threshold or a second data usage threshold. The second battery charge level threshold corresponds to a minimum charge level of the battery needed for the UE110to support carrier aggregation172. In an example, satisfying the second performance threshold includes determining whether the performance characteristic is less than the second performance threshold.

If at block424, the UE110determines that the performance characteristic of the UE110satisfies the second performance threshold then method420proceeds to block424, otherwise method420remains at block438.

Referring toFIG. 5, one example of an implementation of an UE110may include a variety of components, some of which have already been described above, but including components such as one or more processors512and memory516and transceiver502in communication via one or more buses544, which may operate in conjunction with modem140and power saving component150. Further, the one or more processors512, modem140, memory516, transceiver502, radio frequency (RF) front end588and one or more antennas565, may be configured to support voice and/or data calls (simultaneously or non-simultaneously) in one or more radio access technologies. In some aspects, the modem140may be the same as or similar to the modem140(FIG. 1).

In an aspect, the one or more processors512can include a modem140that uses one or more modem processors. The various functions related to power saving component150may be included in modem140and/or processors512and, in an aspect, can be executed by a single processor, while in other aspects, different ones of the functions may be executed by a combination of two or more different processors. For example, in an aspect, the one or more processors512may include any one or any combination of a modem processor, or a baseband processor, or a digital signal processor, or a transmit processor, or a receiver processor, or a transceiver processor associated with transceiver502. In other aspects, some of the features of the one or more processors512and/or modem140associated with power saving component150may be performed by transceiver502.

Also, the memory516may be configured to store data used herein and/or local versions of applications575or power saving component150and/or one or more of its subcomponents being executed by at least one processor512. Memory516can include any type of computer-readable medium usable by a computer or at least one processor512, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), tapes, magnetic discs, optical discs, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and any combination thereof. In an aspect, for example, memory516may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores one or more computer-executable codes defining power saving component150and/or one or more of its subcomponents, and/or data associated therewith, when UE110is operating at least one processor512to execute power saving component150and/or one or more of its subcomponents.

The transceiver502may include at least one receiver506and at least one transmitter508. The receiver506may include hardware, firmware, and/or software code executable by a processor for receiving data, the code comprising instructions and being stored in a memory (e.g., computer-readable medium). The receiver506may be, for example, a RF receiver. In an aspect, the receiver506may receive signals transmitted by at least one base station105. Additionally, the receiver506may process such received signals, and also may obtain measurements of the signals, such as, but not limited to, Ec/Io, SNR, RSRP, RSSI, etc. The transmitter508may include hardware, firmware, and/or software code executable by a processor for transmitting data, the code comprising instructions and being stored in a memory (e.g., computer-readable medium). A suitable example of the transmitter508may include, but is not limited to, an RF transmitter.

Moreover, in an aspect, the UE110may include the RF front end588, which may operate in communication with one or more antennas565and transceiver502for receiving and transmitting radio transmissions, for example, wireless communications transmitted by at least one base station105or wireless transmissions transmitted by the UE110. The RF front end588may be connected to one or more antennas565and can include one or more low-noise amplifiers (LNAs)590, one or more switches592, one or more power amplifiers (PAs)598, and one or more filters596for transmitting and receiving RF signals.

In an aspect, the LNA590can amplify a received signal at a desired output level. In an aspect, each LNA590may have a specified minimum and maximum gain values. In an aspect, the RF front end588may use one or more switches592to select a particular LNA590and its specified gain value based on a desired gain value for a particular application.

Further, for example, the one or more PA(s)598may be used by the RF front end588to amplify a signal for an RF output at a desired output power level. In an aspect, each PA598may have specified minimum and maximum gain values. In an aspect, the RF front end588may use one or more switches592to select a particular PA598and a corresponding specified gain value based on a desired gain value for a particular application.

Also, for example, the one or more filters596can be used by the RF front end588to filter a received signal to obtain an input RF signal. Similarly, in an aspect, for example, a respective filter596can be used to filter an output from a respective PA598to produce an output signal for transmission. In an aspect, each filter596can be connected to a specific LNA590and/or PA598. In an aspect, the RF front end588can use one or more switches592to select a transmit or receive path using a specified filter596, LNA590, and/or PA598, based on a configuration as specified by transceiver502and/or processor512.

As such, the transceiver502may be configured to transmit and receive wireless signals through one or more antennas565via the RF front end588. In an aspect, transceiver may be tuned to operate at specified frequencies such that the UE110can communicate with, for example, the one or more base stations105or one or more cells associated with one or more base stations105. In an aspect, for example, the modem140can configure the transceiver502to operate at a specified frequency and power level based on the UE configuration of the UE110and the communication protocol used by the modem140.

In an aspect, the modem140can be a multiband-multimode modem, which can process digital data and communicate with the transceiver502such that the digital data is sent and received using the transceiver502. In an aspect, the modem140can be multiband and be configured to support multiple frequency bands for a specific communications protocol. In an aspect, the modem140can be multimode and be configured to support multiple operating networks and communications protocols. In an aspect, the modem140can control one or more components of the UE110(e.g., RF front end588, transceiver502) to enable transmission and/or reception of signals from the network based on a specified modem configuration. In an aspect, the modem configuration can be based on the mode of the modem and the frequency band in use. In another aspect, the modem configuration can be based on UE configuration information associated with the UE110as provided by the network during cell selection and/or cell reselection.

Referring toFIG. 6, one example of an implementation of base station105may include a variety of components, some of which have already been described above, but including components such as one or more processors612, a memory616, and a transceiver602in communication via one or more buses644, which may operate in conjunction with the modem160and carrier aggregation component170to enable one or more of the functions described herein.

The transceiver602, receiver606, transmitter608, one or more processors612, memory616, applications675, buses644, RF front end688, LNAs690, switches692, filters696, PAs698, and one or more antennas665may be the same as or similar to the corresponding components of UE110, as described above, but configured or otherwise programmed for base station operations as opposed to UE operations.