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ApplePatent applicationNetworks & wirelessInterest 4/10

Apple files patent for phones to sync with narrow 5G channels

Apple describes a method for smartphones to connect to cellular networks using very narrow frequency bands under 5 MHz. The phone identifies these specific channels by analyzing the structure of the synchronization signal, allowing it to tune in correctly without interference from wider bands.

Why it mattersThis improves how devices handle mixed network environments, ensuring reliable connections even when using limited spectrum resources.

In the filing’s own words

Systems and methods for initial access coexistence with dedicated frequency range 1 (FR1) spectrum that is less than 5 megahertz (MHz) with spectrum that is 5 MHz or greater via the use of cell search pruning are described herein. A user equipment (UE) may receive a synchronization signal (SS)/physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) at a raster point of a frequency raster used for identifying channels having channel bandwidths of less than 5 MHz, may identify that a channel corresponding to the SSB has a bandwidth that is less than 5 MHz based on a formulation of a PBCH of the SSB, and may use, based on the SSB, the channel to synchronize to a cell. Radio access network (RAN) behaviors related to the formulation of such PBCHs of such SSBs are also disclosed. Some embodiments for formulating such PBCHs contemplate particular arrangements for PBCH demodulation reference signals (DMRSs).

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method of a user equipment (UE), comprising: receiving a synchronization signal (SS)/physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) at a raster point of a frequency raster used for identifying channels having channel bandwidths of less than 5 megahertz (MHz); identifying that a channel corresponding to the SSB has a bandwidth that is less than 5 MHz based on a formulation of a PBCH of the SSB; and using, based on the SSB, the channel to synchronize to a cell.

Facts

Company
Apple (APPLE INC.)
Official title
INITIAL ACCESS COEXISTENCE WITH DEDICATED FREQUENCY RANGE 1 SPECTRUM LESS THAN 5 MEGAHERTZ VIA CELL SEARCH PRUNING
Publication number
US20260270901A1
Application number
19164983
Filed
Apr 4, 2023
Published
Sep 10, 2026
Inventors
6
Claims
19

Classified under

H04W 56/0015 Electricity & electronicsH04J 11/0073 Electricity & electronicsH04J 11/0076 Electricity & electronicsH04L 5/0051 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.