Apple patents phone tech to check other networks without pausing data
Apple describes a method for phones to measure signal strength from other cellular networks, like 5G or LTE, while staying connected to their current network. Instead of pausing data transmission to check these signals, the phone briefly interrupts specific data or control channels to perform the measurement simultaneously.
In the filing’s own words
This disclosure relates to techniques for performing inter radio access technology measurements without a measurement gap in a wireless communication system. A wireless device and a cellular base station may establish a wireless link according to a first radio access technology. The cellular base station may indicate to the wireless device to perform inter radio access technology measurements. The wireless device may determine that it is capable of performing the inter radio access technology measurements without a measurement gap. The wireless device may provide capability information to the cellular base station indicating that the wireless device is capable of performing the inter radio access technology measurements without a measurement gap. The wireless device may perform the inter radio access technology measurements without a measurement gap.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method, comprising: by a wireless device: establishing a wireless link with a cellular base station according to a first radio access technology (RAT); receiving an indication from the cellular base station to perform at least a first inter-RAT measurement; determining that the wireless device is capable of performing the first inter-RAT measurement without a measurement gap; determining that one or more of data or control communication on the wireless link with the cellular base station and the first inter-RAT measurement are associated with different subcarrier spacing; determining that the wireless device does not support mixed numerology; interrupting one or more of data or control communication on the wireless link with the cellular base station while performing the first inter-RAT measurement without a measurement gap based at least in part on one or more of data or control communication on the wireless link with the cellular base station and the first inter-RAT measurement being associated with different subcarrier spacing and the wireless device not supporting mixed numerology; and performing the first inter-RAT measurement without a measurement gap.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Inter radio access technology measurement without measurement gap
- Patent number
- US12757056B2
- Application number
- 18726402
- Filed
- Jan 6, 2022
- Granted
- Oct 6, 2026
- Inventors
- 10
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04W 24/10 Electricity & electronicsH04W 74/0808 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in Networks & wireless
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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.