Apple patents method for 5G devices to pick best time-sync partners
This patent describes a way for 5G devices to coordinate their internal clocks for precise location tracking. A device asks nearby phones for their timing data, then chooses the most reliable ones to use as reference points for calculating position.
In the filing’s own words
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for synchronization and resource allocation for sidelink positioning, e.g., in 5G NR systems and beyond. A device, e.g., a UE or an LMF, may be configured to transmit, to a plurality of wireless devices, an anchor selection request for a sidelink positioning procedure for a target UE. The device may be configured to receive, from one or more wireless devices of the plurality of wireless devices, an anchor selection response. The device may be configured to select based, at least in part, on the anchor selection responses, one or more anchor devices from the one or more wireless devices.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method, performed by a user equipment device (UE), for selecting a synchronization reference for sidelink positioning, comprising: transmitting, to a plurality of wireless devices, an anchor selection request for a sidelink positioning procedure for a target UE; receiving, from one or more wireless devices of the plurality of wireless devices, an anchor selection response that includes information indicative of synchronization-reference characteristics associated with each wireless device of the one or more wireless devices, wherein the synchronization-reference characteristics include at least one of a synchronization source identifier, a relative time difference, or synchronization quality information; and selecting, based, at least in part, on the synchronization-reference characteristics included in the anchor selection responses, one or more anchor devices from the one or more wireless devices that satisfy a synchronization-reference criterion.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Synchronization and resource allocation for sidelink positioning
- Patent number
- US12764704B2
- Application number
- 18451578
- Filed
- Aug 17, 2023
- Granted
- Oct 13, 2026
- Inventors
- 8
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04W 64/00 Electricity & electronicsH04W 48/20 Electricity & electronicsH04W 72/25 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.