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Samsung patents satellite cell tracking for 5G/6G devices

This filing describes how a phone or other device can keep track of nearby satellite cells when using a non-terrestrial network. It sets specific timers to check if the connection to the main satellite is still valid and looks for information about neighboring satellites to maintain the link.

Why it mattersThis is interesting for people following the expansion of mobile internet beyond ground towers, as it helps devices manage connections when moving between satellites.

In the filing’s own words

The disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. Specifically, the disclosure related to a method, for a User Equipment (UE), for acquiring first cell information (e.g. first ephemeris information) of a first cell (e.g. a serving cell) and second cell information (e.g. second ephemeris) of one or more second cells (e.g. one or more neighbouring cells). The second cells are Non Terrestrial Network (NTN) cells. The method comprises: in response to expiry of a first timer (e.g. T317), indicating that validity of previously acquired first cell information has expired, starting a second timer (e.g. T318 or a newly defined timer); attempting to acquire the first cell information and the second cell information during the second timer period; and upon expiry of the second timer, performing a Radio Link Failure (RLF) procedure if the first cell information has not been successfully acquired, whether or not the second cell information has been successfully acquired.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: identifying an expiration of a second timer; informing, to a lower layer, a loss of an uplink synchronization and starting a first timer based on the expiration of the second timer; receiving, from a base station (BS), a first system information block (SIB) associated with satellite information for a non-terrestrial network (NTN) cell; identifying that a second SIB associated with satellite information for a neighbor cell is received from the BS; and in case that the second SIB is received, stopping the first timer.

Facts

Company
Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
Official title
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING NEIGHBOUR CELL INFORMATION IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Publication number
US20260261995A1
Application number
19489491
Filed
Jun 28, 2024
Published
Sep 3, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
14

Classified under

H04W 56/0015 Electricity & electronicsH04L 43/0811 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.