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AppleGranted patentNetworks & wirelessInterest 4/10

Apple patents method for sharing unlicensed radio spectrum in 5G networks

Apple describes a way for devices to share unlicensed radio frequencies by checking if the channel is clear before sending data. The system uses a timer and random wait times to avoid collisions with other devices, then selects specific time slots for communication.

Why it mattersThis improves how multiple devices can share the same radio space without interfering with each other, which is useful for future 5G and Wi-Fi coexistence.

In the filing’s own words

A user equipment (UE), a baseband processor or other network device can operate in a new radio (NR) unlicensed network to correlate resource selection with shared spectrum channel access. The device can perform a resource selection procedures within a resource selection window (RSW) to determine a set of candidate resources, and a clear channel assessment (CCA). A resource selection of one or more resources can be performed from the set of candidate resources to enable a sidelink (SL) communication. The CCA initiates after an aperiodic traffic arrival, after a previous transmission, or after the resource selection is completed.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: a memory; and a processing circuitry, coupled to the memory, configured to, when executing instructions stored in the memory, cause the UE to: perform, in response to completion of a previous transmission, a clear channel assessment (CCA) procedure that includes generating a random backoff number and initiating a countdown with a counter for the CCA before traffic for a sidelink (SL) communication arrives at the UE; in response to the traffic arrival, perform a resource selection procedure within a resource selection window (RSW) to select one or more resources from a set of candidate resources, wherein the RSW initiates during or after the CCA; upon CCA success, freeze the countdown of the counter prior to the selected resources; and perform a one-shot listen before talk (LBT) operation within a gap symbol preceding the selected resources with a cyclic prefix extension (CPE) starting position based on a priority of the SL communication; and after the LBT operation, transmit the SL communication using the selected resources.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Mode 2 resource selection enhancement
Patent number
US12750872B2
Application number
18360281
Filed
Jul 27, 2023
Granted
Sep 29, 2026
Inventors
9
Claims
22

Classified under

H04W 72/40 Electricity & electronicsH04W 74/0808 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.