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AppleGranted patentNetworks & wirelessInterest 3/10

Apple patents method to fill empty space in 5G sync signals

Apple describes a system that modifies how base stations send synchronization signals to phones. It takes unused parts of the signal block and fills them with extra data to extend the main sync signals.

Why it mattersThis could help improve how efficiently 5G networks manage their signal space, though it is a detailed technical adjustment rather than a new user feature.

In the filing’s own words

A system is configured for reconfiguration of a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) pattern. The system is configured for obtaining data including a configuration for a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) transmission carrying a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), the configuration specifying, for an SSB of the configuration, resource elements (REs) allocated for transmitting a primary synchronization signal (PSS) to a user equipment (UE) and REs allocated for transmitting a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) to the UE. The system is configured for selecting a set of REs that are unused in the configuration for the SSB transmission, specifying a filling sequence for extending a synchronization signal or an SSB to the set of REs that are unused in the configuration of the SSB transmission, generating data including an enhanced configuration for the SSB transmission that includes the extended synchronization signal or the extended SSBs, and transmitting the SSB transmission using the enhanced configuration.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method performed by a base station, the method comprising: generating a sequence that extends a synchronization signal or a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) of a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) to a set of resource elements (REs) that are unused in a pre-configuration for transmitting the SSB, the REs being unused in the configuration for transmitting a primary synchronization signal (PSS) to a user equipment (UE), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) to the UE, or the PBCH to the UE, wherein a number of subcarriers for the PSS, SSS, or for the PBCH is increased from the pre-configuration to extend the PSS, SSS, or the PBCH; and transmitting the SSB including the sequence.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Synchronization signal block pattern enhancement
Patent number
US12732906B2
Application number
18371797
Filed
Sep 22, 2023
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Inventors
14
Claims
20

Classified under

H04W 48/20 Electricity & electronicsH04J 11/0069 Electricity & electronicsH04L 5/0048 Electricity & electronicsH04W 56/0015 Electricity & electronicsH04W 72/30 Electricity & electronicsH04J 11/0073 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.