Apple patents system to coordinate ultra-wide band device traffic
Apple describes a method for devices to check if an ultra-wide band (UWB) channel is busy before using it. The system uses a separate 'arbitration' channel to listen for signals indicating whether the main UWB channel is currently in use. If the channel is clear, the device proceeds with its UWB communication; if not, it waits for a later opportunity.
In the filing’s own words
Systems, methods, and mechanisms for an out-of-band (OOB) ultra-wide band (UWB) channel arbitration and/or channel coordination scheme. A device may scan an arbitration channel for a first time period, and based on the scanning, determine that the arbitration channel is not in use. The device may perform, on the arbitration channel, a first channel access procedure and perform, on the UWB channel, UWB communications during a UWB channel transmission opportunity.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method, comprising: scanning an arbitration channel for a first time period, wherein activity on the arbitration channel is indicative of activity on an ultra-wide band (UWB) channel; determining, based on detecting activity on the arbitration channel during the scanning, that the arbitration channel is in use, and wherein scanning the arbitration channel comprises listening for one or more request to send (RTS) or clear to send (CTS) frames during the first time period; and initiating arbitration for access to the UWB channel during a subsequent arbitration event.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Ultra-wide band channel access—opportunistic reservation
- Patent number
- US12763812B2
- Application number
- 18814941
- Filed
- Aug 26, 2024
- Granted
- Oct 13, 2026
- Inventors
- 4
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04B 1/7183 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.