Apple patents faster setup for 5G network nodes
This patent describes a way to speed up how 5G network nodes, called IAB nodes, connect to each other and to phones. It uses specific data headers and multicast messages to configure multiple nodes at once, reducing the time it takes to establish a connection.
In the filing’s own words
Multi-hop configurations in integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) networks are provided for reduced latency. For modifications to a backhaul adaptation protocol (BAP) header supports faster data radio bearer (DRB) transmissions. Or, for both signaling radio bearer (SRB) and DRB flows, configuration forwarding may be used to reduce configuration latency wherein a single RRCReconfiguration message is forwarded to intermediate nodes that process the configuration and respond back independently. Alternatively, for both SRB and DRB flows, configuration multi-casting may be used for simultaneous IAB node and backup configurations. Methods are provided for fast activation of backup links in IAB nodes.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method for backhaul radio link control (RLC) channel establishment using a backhaul adaptation protocol (BAP) in a wireless network, the method comprising: generating, at a donor Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, a BAP protocol data unit (PDU) comprising a BAP header including a first field comprising a destination field, a second field comprising a path field, and a third field comprising a bit configured to indicate whether the destination field comprises a unicast address or a multicast address; generating, at the donor IAB node, a multicast radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message comprising the BAP PDU; in response to sending the multicast RRC reconfiguration message, processing, at the donor IAB node, a separate unicast RRC reconfiguration complete message received from each of a plurality of IAB nodes using the BAP; in response to processing the separate unicast RRC reconfiguration complete message received from each of the plurality of IAB nodes, sending a unicast RRC reconfiguration message to a user equipment (UE) in communication with one of the plurality of IAB nodes; processing an RRC reconfiguration complete message from the UE; and in response to the RRC reconfiguration complete message from the UE, sending, from the IAB donor node, a PDU session setup complete message to a core network.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (APPLE INC.)
- Official title
- Systems and methods for multi-hop configurations in iab networks for reduced latency
- Patent number
- US12739917B2
- Application number
- 17593533
- Filed
- Oct 22, 2020
- Granted
- Sep 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 7
- Claims
- 12
Classified under
H04W 76/18 Electricity & electronicsH04W 76/12 Electricity & electronicsH04W 76/19 Electricity & electronicsH04W 76/27 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in Networks & wireless
- Apple patents interface for sending messages via satellite Sep 29, 2026
- Apple patents way for phones to switch from ground towers to satellites Sep 17, 2026
- Apple patents moving phone plans between devices via Bluetooth Sep 1, 2026
- Apple patents sharing Wi-Fi channel data to speed up device connections Sep 1, 2026
- Apple patents smart surface that helps phones find signal faster Sep 8, 2026
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.