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AppleGranted patentNetworks & wirelessInterest 6/10

Apple patents timing tweaks for phones connecting to satellite networks

Apple describes a method for wireless devices to adjust their signal timing when connected to non-terrestrial networks, such as those using satellites. The device detects a specific trigger to change how quickly it adjusts its timing and calculates a specific time window for this new adjustment rate. This helps maintain a stable connection by managing the timing differences inherent in satellite communications.

Why it mattersThis is interesting for tech enthusiasts because it outlines how future satellite-to-phone connections might handle the complex timing delays caused by the distance between satellites and Earth.

In the filing’s own words

This disclosure relates to techniques for a wireless device to perform gradual timing adjustments in a non-terrestrial wireless communication system. According to the techniques described herein, a wireless device may establish a non-terrestrial network based wireless link with a cellular base station. The wireless device may detect a trigger for changing a gradual timing adjustment rate from a first gradual timing adjustment rate to a second gradual timing adjustment rate. The wireless device may determine a time window for which to perform gradual timing adjustment at the second gradual timing adjustment rate. The wireless device may perform gradual timing adjustment at the second gradual timing adjustment rate for the time window.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method, comprising: by a wireless device: establishing a non-terrestrial network (NTN) based wireless link with a cellular base station; detecting a trigger for changing a gradual timing adjustment rate from a first gradual timing adjustment rate to a second gradual timing adjustment rate; determining a time window for which to perform gradual timing adjustment at the second gradual timing adjustment rate, wherein the time window for which to perform gradual timing adjustment at the second gradual timing adjustment rate is determined based at least in part on an accumulated amount of gradual timing adjustment or closed-loop timing advance implemented by the wireless device after the trigger for changing the gradual timing adjustment rate; and performing gradual timing adjustment at the second gradual timing adjustment rate for the time window.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Gradual timing adjustment for wireless devices in a non-terrestrial network
Patent number
US12757144B2
Application number
18726251
Filed
Jan 6, 2022
Granted
Oct 6, 2026
Inventors
9
Claims
20

Classified under

H04W 56/005 Electricity & electronicsH04W 56/007 Electricity & electronicsH04W 56/009 Electricity & electronicsH04W 84/06 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.