Apple patents satellite timing sync for better signal alignment
Apple has been granted a patent for a method that helps devices stay in sync with satellite networks. The system uses signals from the base station to calculate and update the time delay needed for data to travel between the device and the satellite.
In the filing’s own words
A user equipment (UE) associated with a non-terrestrial network (NTN) is disclosed. The UE comprises a processor configured to determine a first time offset, based on processing a timing offset indication signal comprising the first time offset or an associated parameter, received from a base station. In some embodiments, the first time offset is indicative of a time delay in downlink (DL) to uplink (UL) interaction between the UE and the base station. The processor is further configured to determine a second time offset, based on processing a subsequent timing offset indication signal comprising the second time offset or an associated parameter, received from the base station at a subsequent time instance. In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to update the first time offset with the second time offset.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A baseband (BB) processor for a user equipment (UE), the BB processor configured to perform operations comprising: receiving, from a base station in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), a timing offset indication signal comprising a time offset; receiving, from the base station in the NTN, a timing drift rate indication signal comprising a timing drift rate; determining an updated time offset based on the time offset and the timing drift rate, wherein the updated time offset comprises a timing advance (TA) value autonomously maintained at the UE; and providing, to the base station in the NTN, a timing offset update notification signal comprising the updated time offset.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Time offset maintenance for nonterrestrial network (NTN)
- Patent number
- US12744589B2
- Application number
- 18249810
- Filed
- Oct 23, 2020
- Granted
- Sep 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 15
- Claims
- 15
Classified under
H04B 7/18532 Electricity & electronicsH04W 56/0025 Electricity & electronicsH04W 74/006 Electricity & electronicsH04W 74/0833 Electricity & electronicsH04W 74/0838 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.