SIM Cards Overview

Kiran Koona

Mar 4, 2015

Contents

Abbreviations
Types of Cards
SIM Card Memory Architecture
SIM Card File Structure
RUM- Classifications
NV Vs RUIM
PRL
USIM
UICC Vs ICC

Abbreviations

SIM: Subscriber Identity Module

USIM: Universal Subscriber Identity Module
RUIM: Removable User Identity Module
ICC: Integrated Circuit Card
UICC: Universal Integrated Circuit Card
OMH: Open Mobile Handset
ISIM: IMS SIM
NV : Non Volatile
PRL: Preferred Roaming List
GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications
UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications
CDMA: Code Division Multiple Access
IMS: IP Multimedia Subsystem

Types of cards

ICC

UICC
SIM-- Single IMSI
Dual IMSI
RUIM-- Single--CDMA
Combo--CDMA+GSM

USIM
CSIM
ISIM
RUIM
SIM

SIM
Subscriber Identity Module
SIM-- Single IMSI
Dual IMSI (Multiple Subscription, Useful for Business needs)
Polarization Mark, Chipset Mark (ID)
SIM card was made in 1991 by Giesecke & Devrien (Munich) to Finnish wireless
network operatorRadiolinja
Size: 32K,64K and 128K.

ICCID

Integrated circuit card identifier (ICC-ID)

Each SIM is internationally identified by its ICC-ID.

ICC-IDs are stored in the SIM cards and are also engraved or printed on the SIM
card body during a process called personalization.
The ICC-ID is defined by the ITU-T recommendation E.118.
A 19 digits long including a single check digit calculated using
theLuhnalgorithm.

Eg:
89

Tele CC MNC Vendor

91

15

100

000000011

S.No

Checksum

IMSI

International Mobile Subscriber Identity

Unique Value across all the operators through out the globe

15- digit number

Indicates the Home Network of the Subscriber
All the Subscription details will be saved in the HLR against IMSI

Types

Native(old) and Java (For Changing the card Parameters via OTA)
ID-1: 85.60mm 53.98mm x 0.76mm

Permanently fit in End device

Plug-in
Width: 25mm, Height: 15mm.

Dual IMSI:
SIM having Multiple Profiles
Proactive: SIM which can Initiate commands to the ME.

Use: Sending IMEI or ESN to the network.

Memory Architecture

Flexible Architecture
Similar to all the types of cards
3F': Master File;
7F': 1st level Dedicated File;
'5F': 2nd level Dedicated File;
'2F': Elementary File under the Master File;
6F': Elementary File under a 1st level Dedicated File;
'4F': Elementary File under 2nd level Dedicated File.

File Structure

File Structure DF: GSM

Master File

Telecom Directory

GSM Directory

EF- File (Eg: ICCID)

Permanent Vs Dynamic SIM Card Data

Permanent
SIM card type
IC card identification - serial number
of card
SIM service table - list of services
subscribed to
IMSI
CHV1( PIN1) and CHV2 (PIN2)
PUK - Pin unblocking key
Authentication key Ki and A3, A5,
and A8 algorithms
ADM keys

Dynamic
Location Information
TMSI, LAI, LA update timer (t3212),
Ciphering key Kc and sequence
number
BCCH information (ARFCN,MCC and
MNC)
List of carrier frequencies for cell
selection during handover and call
setup
List of blocked PLMNs (FPLMNs)
HPLMN search timer

RUIM

Removable User Identity Module

Non OMH
OMH
1. Operator specific card
1. Can be used with any CDMA
2.
Browser and DUN settings
compatible targets
has to be written on to target (NV mode)
2. Multiple profiles: Browse, MMS, DUN and
LBS etc.
3. Simple PRL
3. PRL: Concatenated PRL
4. Hybrid mode (CDMA+EVDO)
5. Prioritized Profiles
4. Combo: CDMA+GSM
6. Combo: CDMA+GSM

NV Vs RUIM
NV
Non Volatile
PRL (SID,NID) will be saved on the
target
ESN of the Handset will be sent to
the Network
Browser and DUN settings on to
target
ESN Tracking:

RUIM
Removable Identity Module
PRL (SID,NID) will be saved on the
card
ESN of the card will be sent to the
Network
Browser and DUN settings on to card
(OMH only)

PRL
Legacy 1X only
Hybrid Concatenated

USIM Vs SIM
USIM
UMTS-SIM
Universal Subscriber Identity Module
Global Phone Book & Hidden Phone
Book (Bank account no's)
APN settings can be written directly
on to the card
MMS can be stored on to the card
Extended Phone book (256K)
Backward compatible with 2G-GSM
technology
Operator Logo can be stored on the
card
More secured: Milenage and kausami
Alogs

SIM
GSM-SIM
Subscriber Identity Module
Global Phone Book
NA
NA
Limited Phone book (32K or 64K)
compatible with 3G also
Cant store Images
A5, A3 and A8 algos are not very
secured

UICC
Universal Integrated card
A single card on which all applications can be placed (USIM,CSIM,RUIM and SIM)
3G, 3G+ card

UICC

UICC Vs ICC
UICC
Universal ICC
Can have multiple Applications of
Similar Kind
Can have 2 USIMs/SIMs
A single card: USIM+ISIM+CSIM+SIM
etc
Used for 2G, 3G and 3G+ techs

ICC

Integrated Circuit Card

Single profile of similar kind
Single Application (USIM or IM
SIM or RUIM or USIM
Used for 2G and 3G only

CSIM Vs RUIM
CSIM
3G, 3G+ Application
runs on UICC

RUIM
2G and 3G
runs on ICC and UICC

STK and DSTK

1) STK: SIM Tool Kit
Request can be answered through SMSC Gateway
2)

DSTK: Dynamic SIM Tool Kit

Request can be answered through SMSC Gateway
WIB PULL
WIB Push
Updating Parameters OTA
Sending GPRS settings.

References

GSM 11.11- Specification of the Subscriber Identity Module - Mobile

Equipment (SIM - ME) interface
GSM 11.14- Specification of the SIM Application Toolkit for the
Subscriber Identity Module - Mobile Equipment (SIM - ME) interface
UMTS 31.111 - Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) Application
Toolkit (USAT)
ITU-T E.118- The International Telecommunication Charge Card. 2006
ITU-T

Thank You